Tire Maintenance Tips

Tires are one of the most important parts of your vehicle since they’re the only things connecting your car, truck, or SUV to the road underneath. They provide the friction needed to stop and go in traffic and on the highway, and when they fail, serious accidents and injuries can occur.

Luckily, it’s easy to stay safe on the road by properly checking and maintaining your tires. Well-maintained tires last longer, increase the fuel efficiency of your car, improve its performance, and help keep you and everyone else on the road safe.

In order to keep your tires in good working order, the service experts at Tonkin Gresham Honda recommend these 9 simple tips.

1. Keep Your Tires Properly Inflated

If your tires are over or under-inflated, they may not steer, brake, or accelerate properly. It’s important to check your tire pressure at least once a month or more often if you’re experiencing wide fluctuations in temperature (for example, in the spring and the fall). Chances are, you’ll need to make an adjustment—studies have shown that a temperature difference as small as 10 degrees Fahrenheit can make a 1–2 pound difference in your tire pressure.

2. Rotate Your Tires Regularly

While driving, each tire wears unevenly depending on its position in the car. Rotating your tires every six months or so is a good way to ensure that each tire gets even wear across the entire driving surface, extending their lives and improving performance.

3. Make Sure Your Wheels Are Aligned

Unbalanced tires can cause rapid and premature wear and tear. Have your tires balanced and your wheels aligned every time you change or rotate your tires, as well as when you install new wheels.

4. Inspect Your Tires Frequently

Every time you check your tire pressure—or better yet, every time you drive—visually inspect your tires for cracks, bulges, foreign objects, punctures, and uneven wear on the treads. Discovering and fixing these problems early is the best way to prevent a tragic accident.

5. Use Tires Appropriate For The Season

In the Portland area, our winters can get fairly cold, so think about investing in separate summer and winter tires. The different types are designed to match the conditions of their respective seasons, and using them in the wrong season can quickly wear them out.

6. Don’t Mix And Match Tires

While it may seem cheaper to only replace one or two tires at a time, as needed, mismatching your tires can actually cause them to wear out faster. Mismatched tires can also cause mechanical issues in the rest of your car, so replace all your tires at the same time.

7. Replace Your Tires When They’re Worn Out

Your tire tread is a good visual indication of your tire’s health. Use the Penny test to determine if your tires are worn-down enough to require a replacement.

Take a penny and put it upside down in a tire tread. If you can see the top of Abraham Lincoln’s head, it’s time to make a service center appointment to replace your tires.

8. Properly Repair Tire Punctures

While many tire punctures can be repaired fairly easily (saving an expensive replacement), ensure your tire is repaired correctly. Bring it to the tire experts at Tonkin Gresham Honda.

9. Store Your Spare Tires Correctly

Make sure your tires are clean and free of any substance that could deteriorate the rubber. Store them away from direct sunlight and heat, ideally off the ground and in a waterproof covering.

Honda Tire Service Near Portland

Properly maintaining your tires keeps you safer and saves you money in the long run. If you’re not sure whether it’s time to replace your tires, bring your Honda into Tonkin Gresham Honda’s service center today! Our expert technicians have been trained at the factory to service your Honda and will treat it with the care it deserves.