United Tire and Service News

One of the most important things that you can do to keep yourself safe on the road is to take care of your tires. If you are going to take good care of your tires, you need to know how to check tire pressure and how to check tire tread depth. Read on to learn more about these tire safety tips.

 

Checking tire pressure is quick and simple. It is important that you check your tire’s air pressure on a regular basis. This is because the tires will slowly lose air pressure as you drive. Also, checking tire pressure enables you to identify whether one of your tires has a leak.

It’s a good idea to purchase a tire pressure gauge and place it somewhere in your car. Tire pressure gauges only cost a few dollars and can be found at any auto parts store.

 

To use a tire pressure gauge, first take the valve cap off one of your tires. Put the valve cap in a place where you will not forget it. Place the tire pressure gauge firmly over the valve. If you hear air hissing out, then it is not seated properly. When the gauge is seated properly, you should be able to get a reading. Most tires are supposed to be kept at around 30 psi. 

 

The proper tire pressure for your vehicle will most likely be printed on the inside of your driver's side door. If the tire’s air pressure is below this number, you should fill it up with air. Most gas stations have compressed air machines with built-in tire pressure gauges. Check all four tires on your vehicle. 

 

Related: Why Do My Tires Seem Deflated on Cold Days?

 

Checking tire tread depth is another quick and simple way to ensure your tires are safe to drive on. The tread on your tires greatly increases the amount of traction they have, especially when there is water or ice on the road. If your tires have little to no tread left, driving on them would be very dangerous. Thankfully, all you need to check your tire’s tread is a penny.

 

To check the tire tread with a penny, first turn the penny upside-down. Next, stick it into the tread on your tires. If you cannot see Lincoln’s entire head, then the tread on your tire is at least 2/32 of an inch deep. This means that this tire is safe to drive on. If you can see Lincoln’s entire head, then your tire has less than 2/32 of an inch of tread left. 

 

This means that it is unsafe to drive on and needs to be replaced. Make sure to check the tread on all four of your vehicle’s tires. Sometimes the tires wear unevenly, especially if your car needs an alignment.

 

If you need new tires or simply want a professional to check your current tires, make an appointment at United Tire today. We can check your tire’s air pressure and fill them up with air. We can also check your tire’s tread and replace them if they are worn out. Schedule your next appointment for tire service at United Tire today.