Inspecting tires for damage and wear

Inspect your tires regularly for damage and for signs of excessive or uneven wear. Catching a problem early could save you money and prevent a sudden tire failure. Check for embedded stones, glass or other foreign objects that could work into the tread and cause a leak.

Wheel alignment and balancing

It’s a good idea to have your wheel alignment checked once a year or if you notice uneven or rapid wear on the inside or outside edges of the tire. If the wheels are misaligned, they may drag instead of rolling freely. This could increase fuel consumption, reduce tire life and cause problems with the vehicle’s handling and ride.

Wheels should also be balanced. If they are out of balance, you may feel a pounding or shaking through the steering wheel or your seat. This pounding could shorten the life of suspension components, lead to uneven tire wear (bald spots) and increase fuel consumption.

Tires with deep cuts, slits, cracks, blisters or bulges are potentially dangerous and should be replaced. Tires with treads worn down to the same level as the tread wear indicator (1.5 mm or 2/32 of an inch in depth) must be replaced.