The Importance of Maintaining Your Tires

We’ve noticed a trend at Champion Chrysler Jeep® Dodge RAM – a lot of drivers near our Downey, CA Dodge dealership seem to take their tires for granted. While modern tires are made to last, it doesn’t mean they’re designed to last forever. As you drive, the tread on your tires gets worn down. When your tread gets below a certain level, it can be unsafe for you to drive, especially in bad weather.

The tread on your tires is what enables them to grip the road surface. Whenever precipitation such as rainwater or snow gets between your tires and the road, the tread on your tires is what cuts through the precipitation and enables your tires to maintain the maximum amount of contact with the roadway. If your tread depth is too low, it can compromise your car’s traction, which may cause you to lose control of your vehicle.

Given the dangers of having low tread on your tires, it’s imperative that you maintain your tires properly. One of the most critical things you can do to keep your tires in good shape is make sure they’re inflated correctly. If a tire doesn’t have the right amount of air pressure, it’s likely that its tread will wear down unevenly or faster than it should.

To see the amount of air pressure your tires should have, check the recommendations in your owner’s manual. The prescribed air pressure levels are intended to optimize things such as ride comfort and fuel economy. These levels are also meant to distribute the load of your vehicle appropriately when you’re accelerating, braking, or going around corners. If your tires are improperly inflated, they will wear faster when you perform these basic driving functions because your car’s load will be distributed unevenly.

At a minimum, you should check the pressure in your tires, including your spare, once per month. You should also check it before you embark on a long road trip or you’re going to carry a heavier load than you normally do.

Making sure your tires are inflated properly isn’t the only thing you should do to maintain your tires. You also need to have them rotated regularly and make sure your vehicle is aligned correctly. Keeping up with your automobile’s routine maintenance schedule is also vital to keeping your tires in optimal shape.

If it’s been a while since your last tire rotation or you think you may need new tires, bring your car into our Dodge service center. We look forward to helping you maintain your tires the right way. Make a service appointment with Champion Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM today!