Choosing The Tires For Your Vehicle

The choice of a tire must comply with the legislation and original equipment defined by the vehicle manufacturer, or by an official body (size, load and speed indexes, structure, etc.). It is also necessary to take into account the conditions of use of the tire, in order that the performances of the tire respond to the needs of the user. That is why it is important to get your tires serviced by tires experts at Pines Ford Lincoln.

On the same note, it is mandatory to use two identical tires with the same tread pattern, the same size and similar wear.

It is important not to use the tire with an unintended pressure, at a speed or with a load higher than that determined by its index.

When Should I Replace My Tires?

Tires should be replaced for a variety of reasons, such as wear, aging or damage. Here are the most common cases:

• Damage: A tire damaged by an impact, an obstacle or a sharp object can be dangerous. It is recommended that you be seen by a professional as soon as possible, which will tell you whether the tire can be repaired or whether it should be replaced;
• Aging: Tires do not have a defined duration. It is important for a specialist to check regularly for any signs of aging. Excessive tire aging can cause them to lose grip and, consequently, affect safety;
• Wear: Check the tread depth of your tires regularly. The legal wear limit allowed for car and truck tires is 1.6 mm. Pines Ford advises that tires be changed before reaching this limit, since worn-out tires do not provide sufficient safety and are prohibited by law;

How Much Tire Pressure Should I Add?

Proper pressure is found in the owner's manual. Because of slow leaks or changes in weather or other conditions, tire pressure may occasionally need to be corrected, usually through the valve stem, with compressed air generally available at the fuel stations. However, sub-inflation of tires can also cause premature tire wear. Many modern vehicles have tire pressure monitoring systems and older cars typically equipped with indirect monitoring systems, such as valves you should use for this check.

• Correct tire pressure is a key factor, not only to optimize tire performance but above all because of SAFETY.
• Calibration is necessary for good vehicle behavior (handling, braking, etc.) and also to maintain the integrity of the tire.
• Tire pressure is recommended by the vehicle manufacturer and must be respected at all times.
• Recommendations for use pressure can be found in the owner's manual of the vehicle and in some cases, may be affixed to the door column, fuel filler cap or glove compartment.
• A low pressure can significantly alter the vehicle's behavior. The same is true in case of excessive pressure.

For your safety and comfort, Pines Ford advises checking the pressure at least every 15 days and, systematically, before a long journey.

What To Do After Changing My Car Tires?

After changing the tires of your car, the tires experts at Pines Ford highly suggests aligning and balancing your vehicle tires again. Depending on the reason for the change, such as uneven wear and completely out of the ordinary, an evaluation of the general situation of the vehicle may be necessary to know if the problem was caused even by the tires or any other cause whatsoever. That is, even after all the tires have been changed, it is necessary to periodically return Pines Ford Tire Center to check the whole vehicle, as well as to know if the wheels and tires are working properly.

Pay special attention to your spare tire!

Most vehicles typically have a spare tire already mounted on a rim to be used in case of a flat or empty tire. Many tires for modern cars are smaller than normal tires and should not be taken too far before replacement with a normal size tire. Some modern vehicle models may use conventional spare tires. Jacks for the emergency replacement of a flat tire with a spare tire are also included with a new car. Compressed air cans can sometimes be purchased separately for convenient emergency recharging of a tire or use a foot pump that can be purchased separately. Some modern cars and trucks are equipped with Flat Run tires, which can be driven with a borehole at a distance of 50 to 65 miles. This eliminates the need for an immediate stop and the associated expensive towing service or tire replacement.

Why Check My Tires Regularly?

Because it's a security issue. The legal minimum depth of 1.6 mm (height of wear index) is an important criterion to be respected. To facilitate the task of verification, newer model tires have wear indicators located on the main tread channels on all its tires. When these indicators are at the same height as the tread, the exchange becomes mandatory.

Tires are a very durable and important safety item. There are varied brands and different levels of quality on the market today. Therefore, it is important to take into account at the time of purchase certain factors, such as product warranty - the law determines three months warranty against manufacturing defects, the quality of the raw material used, the support offered before, during and after the proper purchase and collection and destination given to discarded tires.