You can tell by the air that fall is right around the corner. Cooler weather and shorter days can only mean one thing – another year of school is approaching quickly.
Before you – or one of your children – head back to school this fall, make sure you properly check your tires. Routine tire care and safety is simple and easy. A quick five minute inspection for tire damage, uneven wear, tread depth, alignment, and proper inflation can save you a lot of time, aggravation, and money down the road.
At school, you'll need reliable tires to get you where you need to go. The first step is to make sure you've got the proper air pressure in your tires. Underinflation can lead to tire failure and blowouts. The right amount of air pressure, or PSI, for your tires is specified by the vehicle manufacturer and is shown on the vehicle door edge, door post, glove box door or fuel door. It is also listed in the owner's manual. If you're not sure about how to properly inflate your tires, simply stop by any Dunn Tire location for assistance – as an added incentive we've got free nitrogen inflation, which can save up to 5% in fuel costs by helping maintain proper tire pressure for longer.
Check out this video for more on tire inflation:
To excel in school you can't spin your wheels – you need to gain momentum with maximum traction. The same holds true for your vehicle. You need to monitor your tire's tread depth so you can get the best performance. Visually check your tires for uneven wear, looking for high and low areas or unusually smooth areas. Also check for signs of damage. Tires must be replaced when the tread is worn down to 2/32 of an inch in order to prevent skidding and hydroplaning. An easy test: place a penny into a tread groove. If part of Lincoln's head is covered by the tread, you're driving with the proper amount of tread. If you can see all of his head, it's time for new tires
Check out this video for more on tread depth:
Just as you plan to rotate your new collection of school clothes, you'll need to rotate your tires to promote even wear. The general guideline for tire rotation is approximately every 5,000 miles. There are a few rotation patterns to follow when rotating tires. If you are unsure about the recommended tire rotation pattern, you should consult your vehicle's owner's manual, the tire manufacturer or any Dunn Tire location.
Check out this video for more on tire rotation:
This school year you'll need to keep yourself grounded and focused on the goals ahead. Your car also needs to stay on course and keep from pulling to one side or shaking. A bad jolt from hitting a curb or pothole can throw your front end out of alignment and damage your tires. Misalignment of wheels in the front or rear can cause uneven and rapid tread wear and should be corrected by a tire dealer. If your vehicle shows any sign of shaking, vibrations, or uneven tire wear it's time to have your alignment checked. Bring it to any Dunn Tire. We'll check your alignment for free.
Check out this video for more on wheel alignment:
Don't be the slacker at school with bum tires this year! Stop by any Dunn Tire location to make sure your tires are ready to roll. We'll give your tires a check and let you know. Your tires will be one less thing to worry about when studying this fall.