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Rubber meets road with good tire service A vehicle’s traction, fuel economy and even tire wear are affected by the amount of tread on the tire, the level of air pressure and the balance of the wheel rotation. Tire experts at Cenex and Crow River Auto and Truck Repair in Hutchinson say to check your tires often. Dave Seifert, owner of Crow River Auto and Truck Repair, said any time his technicians service a vehicle they check the tire pressure and wear. That’s a standard service most repair shops offer when the oil is changed, he added. “If tires are under pressure you’ll get poor fuel economy and premature wear,” he said. Auto repair outlets have high-tech pressure gauges, but a simple tool the size of a pen will do the job at home, Seifert said. Tire tread is another aspect of tire care that should be checked periodically. Tires come equipped with a wear bar. As the tire tread wears, this bar is gradually exposed. When even a portion of the tread is level with the wear bar the tires are illegal on Minnesota roads. “A lot of people don’t know that,” said Cory Meier of Cenex. Rotating tires, according to Meier and Seifert, helps tires wear evenly and extends the life of the tire. The tires on four-wheel drive vehicles should be rotated every 4,000 to 6,000 miles. For cars, the recommended mileage is 6,000 to 8,000 miles. Rotation “keeps the tires equally worn,” Meier said. He recommends regular rotation for tires on four-wheel-drive vehicles because uneven wear can affect the vehicle’s transmission. Seifert added that if uneven wear is noticed, it can be a sign of problems. “You may need an alignment or have worn steering or suspension parts,” he said. Buying new tires Many customers don’t buy four tires at once; many replace only two, Meier said. The front tires of a car bear more weight when braking and show wear faster than the rear tires. If tires have not been rotated, the front ones need replacement more often. Tires range from top grade with long mileage ratings of 80,000 to 100,000 miles, to lower grade with ratings of less than 50,000 miles. Tires are also rated by the harness of the rubber, the temperature of the driving surface and the driving speed. Owners should purchase the tires that fit their budget, driving conditions and road surface, Meier said. When checking tire prices, customers should remember to consider the additional costs of valve stems, mounting and balancing and tire disposal. Many tire shops offer packages, free balancing when tires are installed or rotation throughout the life of the tires.
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