4 Tips for Keeping Your Tires and Wheels in Top Condition

We often overlook the importance of well-maintained tires and wheels. It’s easy to overlook; after all, once we drive off the lot in a new vehicle, it seems like that new car smell lasts forever, and you don’t have to think about finding “Toyota service near me” for a long time. Time flies, though, so it’s important to familiarize yourself with the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule and follow it to the letter so that your vehicle is always safe.

Tires and wheels play a critical role in your overall safety while the vehicle is in motion. Certain tires are designed to provide additional traction and grip to deal with slippery conditions, while others are engineered for sheer performance. Whatever job your tires are assigned, how fast they wear is going to depend on how well you maintain them.

Tires are much more complex than many of us realize. They’re multi-layered and designed to withstand the rigors of carrying thousands of pounds of steel and metal components while also traversing roads under varying weather conditions and at all speeds. Keeping those tires in top condition is a priority, and it doesn’t take much. In return, you’ll get peace-of-mind and the comfort of knowing you and your passengers are as safe as possible.

To help you out, we’ve put together a cheat sheet of 4 important tips to keep in mind when maintaining and servicing your vehicle’s tires. Remember, all this information is available in your vehicle’s owner’s manual in more detail. Toyota’s recommended maintenance schedule is designed to keep your car running factory new and to help you avoid costly repairs or unintended damage due to missed maintenance.

#4 Rotate Your Tires

We all know that oil changes are important so that our car’s engines are operating optimally. Dirty oil means gunked-up components and reduced performance. But did you know that you’re supposed to rotate your tires just as often as you change your oil? It’s true! Rotating your tires allows for more even wear over time because they will make contact with the road a little differently at each position.

Tire rotations are easy and affordable, and they’re part of every vehicle’s basic routine maintenance plan. Here at Colonial Toyota, we provide tire rotations as part of a basic maintenance service. How does it work? We simply rotate the tires in a predetermined pattern to different spots. The exact pattern is specific to the vehicle and tires in question, so it is important to go to a certified service center even for such a seemingly simple task.

Performance tires are very different from standard tires, and if your vehicle has a full-size spare, your mechanic may want to include it in the rotation as well. It’s also valuable to return to the same service center to ensure your tires are rotated in a continuous pattern. When you visit the Colonial Toyota service center, you can count on all these details being taken care of according to Toyota’s specifications.

#3 Check Your Tires For Wear

If you own a car, you should be familiar with the Penny Test. Place a penny in your tire tread and notice how much of Lincoln’s head you can see. If you can see most of his head, it’s past time for new tires. If you can see only part of his head, you probably have a little more time. However, this test is only a starting point, and you should always consult with a certified shop.

If you don’t feel comfortable determining your tire’s wear level on your own, it’s always a smart idea to schedule a tire inspection at Colonial Toyota. Our technicians will evaluate your tires and let you know if it’s time for new ones or if your existing tires need adjusting. Why is it important? Driving on worn tires is dangerous. Your risk of hydroplaning increases, and there is even the possibility of blowing out a tire at high speeds.

Checking your tires for wear is also a good way to determine if your tires are over or under-inflated. If the wear pattern is uneven, it’s a sign that something’s wrong. Your service professional can evaluate your car to determine the cause of any uneven wear patterns. This could be the result of improper inflation, or you might have an alignment issue. Fortunately, our service center can fix all of these problems and get you back out on the road in no time.

#2 Be Careful When Parking

We haven’t spoken too much about wheels, but they’re important too. We’ve all experienced that horrible sensation of scraping a wheel against the curb when parallel parking. Not only does it potentially cause cosmetic damage, but scraping your wheel can dent or damage it, causing a slow leak due to the seal breaking around the tire.

Keep an eye on your wheels and take an extra minute to examine your wheel if it makes contact with the curb or another surface. It’s easy to brush it off as no big deal, but a slow leak now can lead to big trouble later, especially at highway speeds. Wheels are more than just decoration – they play an important role in overall tire safety.

In general, keep your wheels clean and free of debris. This is especially important during the winter months when salt and sand are everywhere. Your wheels will last longer if they’re not caked with brake dust and road dust. Just a simple trip through the car wash once a week will do it. It’s easy, and it pays dividends over time.

#1 Keep Your Tires Properly Inflated

Your tires are designed to be kept at a specific pressure, measured in PSI (pounds per square inch), and you can find this information in your vehicle’s owner’s manual or on the side of your driver’s door. Under and over-inflated tires will wear unevenly, causing potential safety problems and premature deterioration of the tire itself.

You can buy a gauge to check tire pressure yourself for a couple of dollars, or simply stop by your local Toyota dealer for a quick tire pressure check. Remember, tire pressure will vary with outside temperature, so it’s particularly important to check tire pressure regularly as the seasons change. This will save you money, and it will keep vehicle occupants safer.

Keep an Eye on Your Tires!

Properly maintained tires and wheels are necessary to keep your car running in optimal condition. These simple tips should help you stay on track, so you never have to worry about a sudden blowout or wear-related service issue. Tires work best when they’re properly inflated, regularly rotated, and monitored for wear. It only takes a few minutes and a little planning to ensure your tires and wheels are operating according to manufacturer specifications.

Remember, cold and wintry weather conditions are especially tough on your tires and wheels. That’s why we recommend strictly following your recommended maintenance schedule, paying close attention to any changes in wear pattern or level of inflation. Also, it’s important to understand the type of tires on your vehicle. There are many different styles designed for different vehicles – like performance, all-weather, winter, and off-road tires – so knowing your tires’ characteristics will give you an edge.

The team here at Colonial Toyota is always available to answer your service-related questions and help you keep your investment running smoothly for years. We have the tools, the training, and the passion to be your partner for all your driving needs, and we’ll help you keep your vehicle in showroom condition. Contact us today for more information or use our website to schedule your next Toyota service appointment.