Tire FAQs: How to Care for Your Tires

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Next to getting your oil changed, tire care is among the most important forms of vehicle maintenance there is. Make sure that you’re commuting around Chester Springs and heading out to dinner safely and efficiently by following these tire care tips from Jaguar West Chester. Afterward, if you’re still feeling lost, don’t hesitate to visit our professional service center.

Q: How do I check my tire pressure?

Driving with under-inflated tires can cause major problems for your vehicle. On the performance end, you will have a hard time turning and braking with optimal precision, and your fuel economy will decrease as well. On top of all that, underinflated tires can cause excessive friction, causing your tires to wear down more quickly than they should and making them go out much sooner than they would otherwise.

On the sidewall of your tires, you’ll find their recommended PSI (usually between 30 and 35). Stop at a gas station with an air pump, and fill up the tires to the recommended air pressure. If you’re uncomfortable doing this on your own, the Jaguar West Chester service team will take care of your tire pressure check and inflate your tires for you the next time you bring your vehicle in for an oil change or other routine service.

Q: How do I check my tire tread?

Running on bald or low-tread tires is dangerous. In addition to the fact that your vehicle isn’t as responsive as it should be in terms of steering or braking, you’re also at risk of blowing a tire, which puts not only you but those around you at serious risk.

Luckily, checking your tire tread is pretty simple. While a tread-depth gauge is the ideal method of measuring tire tread, the old-fashioned “penny test” still works well. Here’s all you do:

Turn the penny so Lincoln’s head is upside down.
With Lincoln’s head now pointing into the tire, insert the penny between two treads.

If you can still see the top of Lincoln’s head, it means your tire tread is too low, and it’s likely time to get new tires.

Q: Why is it important to rotate my tires?

Regular tire rotations are an essential component of vehicle care. As you drive your vehicle, your driving habits tend to wear down the tread on certain tires more quickly than others. When you get your tires rotated, this helps ensure that the tires wear down more evenly over time, which both improves the performance of your car and helps extend the life of the tires.

Tires can be a bit pricey, so in order to get as many miles out of them as possible, it’s important to take care of them. The easiest way to do that is to get tire rotations every several thousand miles or at the very least every other time you get an oil change. Since this is a procedure that involves special equipment, you’ll probably want to schedule an appointment to have this done when the time comes–luckily our Jaguar tire center can handle all your needs!

Q: How do I change a flat tire?

If you get a flat tire, you may be covered under the generous Jaguar warranty program, but if you aren’t covered, then you’ll need to know how to change a flat tire. Here’s what you need to do:

First make sure you find a safe spot off of the road that doesn’t put you at risk. Put your hazard lights on, and make sure the parking brake is activated.
Get out of the car, and apply the wheel wedges, remove the hubcap, and loosen the lug nuts.
Place the jack under the car, and raise the vehicle.
At this point, you’ll need to unscrew the lug nuts so you can remove the flat tire.
From here, mount the spare tire and tighten the lug nuts.
Lower the vehicle partially and re-tighten the lug nuts before lowering the vehicle all the way.
Replace the hubcap, put all your equipment away, and double check that the spare tire’s pressure is correct.

Afterward, you’ll want to get your vehicle to a maintenance shop to get a new tire put on as soon as possible. Important: Spare tires are only intended to be a temporary fix, and they’re not to be used when driving at high speeds!

More Tire Care Tips

Now that you’ve learned the basics of tire care and maintenance, it’s time to learn the best way to stay safe. It’s important to follow these steps toward tire safety.

Inspect Them Regularly

The only way you’re truly going to know if your tires need attention is by looking at them every now and then. Make it a point to inspect your tires every time you get an oil change, and look for signs of damage as well as signs of general wear and tear. This will help you to notice any issues before they become either impossible to fix or extremely expensive to treat. In addition to inspecting your own tires, be sure to have a professional look at your tires at least once every year.

Check the Pressure

Your tires air pressure is also essential regarding how they handle the West Chester roads, so be sure you’re always checking that they have enough air. Your vehicle’s manual will let you know the optimal air pressure for your specific model, so use that as a reference. If your vehicle has a built-in tire pressure monitor, pay attention to any alerts you may have regarding low pressure, and then make sure to fill your tires up right away.

Monitor Your Loads

Your tires handle the weight of your vehicle and then some. If you constantly ignore the load capacity weights for your vehicle, you’ll find you’re damaging your tires often. Never exceed the load capacity of your vehicle, or you’ll risk blowing out your tires.

Monitor Your Speed

If you’re a speed racer, you’ll find your tires are damaged more easily and more often than those who drive at a regular pace. That’s because driving fast works your vehicle’s tires at a faster pace, leaves you open for damage to road hazards, and even creates heat build-up that damages your tires. Instead, give yourself enough time to get where you need to go.

Get Your Vehicle Serviced in Chester Springs Today

While many of the procedures mentioned above can be handled by DIY enthusiasts with a bit of automotive know-how and ambition, most drivers will want to rely on experts who have the certifications, equipment, and expertise to ensure that the job is done right. Schedule your next tire service for your vehicle here at Jaguar West Chester! While you’re at it, make sure you check out our current service specials in order to take advantage of any deals we’re currently running around Newtown Square and Aston. You can also explore our non-Jaguar inventory, like the used Range Rover Evoque models, or get more tips like how to wash floor mats, or what the difference is between premium and regular gas. Our dealership is located in West Chester, PA, so stop on in or contact us online.