Pressure – Under inflation can result in unnecessary tire stress, irregular wear, loss of control and accidents. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration reports 600 deaths and 33,000 injuries occur each year as a result of under inflated tires.
Alignment – A bad jolt to your vehicle from hitting a pothole or curb can throw your vehicle’s suspension out of alignment resulting in uneven tire wear and possible problems with your vehicles handing.
Rotation – Each tire on your vehicle supports a different amount of weight. Uneven weight distribution can cause your tires to wear at different rates. If your vehicle owner’s guide does not specify a rotation period, tires should be rotated approximately every 5,000 miles.
T.R.E.A.D. or Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability and Documentation refers to the “wear bars” or small, raised bars of rubber in the groove that indicates when tires are worn out. Advanced and unusual wear can reduce the ability of tread to grip the road in adverse conditions. The “Lincoln Penny Test” has become a reliable method to determine if it is time to get new tires. The minimum safe tread depth in Hawaii is 2/32″, which is the exact distance from the tip of Abraham Lincoln’s head to the rim of a penny.
*Source: The Rubber Manufacturers Association.