Tire Care and Replacement Guide

Tires are your only contact with the road. Proper care keeps you safe and saves money.

Why Tire Maintenance Matters

Good tire maintenance:

• Extends tire life by 10,000+ miles
• Improves fuel economy by 3-5%
• Keeps you safe in wet and emergency conditions
• Prevents expensive damage to your car

Monthly Tire Check (5 Minutes)

Pressure Check

Why it matters: Under-inflated tires wear faster, reduce fuel economy, and handle poorly.

How to do it:

1. Find the correct pressure on driver's door jamb (not the tire sidewall)
2. Check pressure when tires are cold (before driving)
3. Use a quality gauge ($10-20)
4. Add or release air to match the spec
5. Don't forget the spare

Pressure guidelines:

• Most cars: 32-35 PSI
• Check when temperatures change significantly
• Tires lose 1-2 PSI per month naturally

Visual Inspection

Look for:

• Bulges or bubbles (replace immediately)
• Cracks in sidewall
• Uneven wear patterns
• Nails, screws, or foreign objects
• Adequate tread depth

Tread Depth: When to Replace

The Penny Test

1. Insert a penny into the tread, Lincoln's head down
2. If you can see all of Lincoln's head, you need new tires
3. Check multiple spots on each tire

The Quarter Test (More Conservative)

1. Insert a quarter, Washington's head down
2. If you see the top of his head, start shopping
3. Better for wet weather safety

Actual Numbers

Tire Rotation

Why Rotate?

• Front tires wear faster (especially on front-wheel drive)
• Steering causes uneven wear
• Rotation evens out wear for longer life

Rotation Pattern

Front-wheel drive:

• Front tires move straight to back
• Back tires cross to opposite front

Rear-wheel drive:

• Rear tires move straight to front
• Front tires cross to opposite rear

All-wheel drive:

• Check owner's manual (varies by system)
• Often an X pattern (all tires cross)

Frequency

• Every 5,000-7,500 miles
• Every other oil change
• When you notice uneven wear

Cost:

• Shop: $30-50
• DIY: Free (with proper tools)
• Often free with tire purchase

Wheel Alignment

Signs You Need Alignment

• Car pulls to one side
• Steering wheel off-center when driving straight
• Uneven tire wear (one edge more than other)
• Steering wheel vibration

When to Check

• Every 2-3 years minimum
• After hitting a major pothole or curb
• After new tires
• When you notice symptoms above

Cost

• $75-150 for all four wheels
• Some shops include with new tire purchase

What They Adjust

• Camber (tire tilt in/out)
• Caster (steering axis tilt)
• Toe (tires pointing in/out)

Wheel Balancing

What It Is

Adding small weights to wheels so they spin evenly at high speed.

Signs You Need Balancing

• Steering wheel vibration at highway speed
• Vibration through seat/floor
• Uneven tire wear

When to Balance

• When new tires are installed
• When vibration appears
• After tire repair
• Every 5,000-7,500 miles (some suggest)

Cost

• $15-25 per tire
• Often free with new tire purchase

Buying New Tires

How Many to Replace

Best practice: Replace all four at once for even handling.

Acceptable: Replace in pairs (both fronts or both rears).

Avoid: Replacing just one tire (except in emergencies).

If replacing two: Put new tires on the rear axle (even on front-wheel drive) for better wet weather control.

Tire Categories

Understanding Tire Sizes

Example: P225/60R16 97H

• P - Passenger car
• 225 - Width in millimeters
• 60 - Aspect ratio (sidewall height % of width)
• R - Radial construction
• 16 - Wheel diameter in inches
• 97 - Load index
• H - Speed rating

Important: Match the size on your door jamb sticker.

Where to Buy

Tire shops (Discount Tire, Tire Rack):

• Best selection
• Competitive pricing
• Includes installation quotes

Warehouse clubs (Costco, Sam's):

• Good prices
• Limited selection
• Includes road hazard

Online (Tire Rack, Amazon):

• Lowest prices often
• Ship to installer
• Compare options easily

Dealers:

• Highest prices
• May be required for some warranties
• Convenient for service

Tire Warranties and Protection

Manufacturer Warranty

• Covers defects only
• Usually 4-6 years from manufacture
• Mileage varies (40,000-80,000)

Road Hazard Protection

• Covers damage from potholes, debris
• Often worth buying
• Check what's included

Typical cost: $15-25 per tire

What it covers:

• Nail punctures
• Pothole damage
• Road debris
• Usually pro-rated by tread depth

Mileage Warranty

• Promises tire will last X miles
• Pro-rated if it doesn't
• Keep service records to claim

Special Situations

Run-Flat Tires

Pros:

• Can drive 50+ miles when flat
• No spare needed
• Peace of mind

Cons:

• Stiffer ride
• More expensive
• Fewer repair options
• Must replace, can't repair

Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

• Light comes on when pressure is 25%+ below spec
• Doesn't replace manual checking
• Sensors need replacement every 5-10 years ($50-200 per sensor)

Seasonal Tire Changes

If you use winter tires:

• Switch at 45°F consistently
• Store off-car tires flat or on rack
• Keep in cool, dry place
• Consider a second set of wheels

Tire Care Don'ts

1. Don't ignore vibration - Gets worse and causes damage

2. Don't drive on a donut long-term - Temporary use only

3. Don't mix tire types - Match all four

4. Don't exceed load rating - Check sidewall specs

5. Don't ignore age - Replace at 6-10 years regardless of tread

6. Don't use fix-a-flat as permanent solution - Temporary only

Annual Tire Cost Planning

Budget Example

The Bottom Line

Monthly: Check pressure, visual inspection

Every 5-7k miles: Rotate tires

Every 2-3 years: Alignment check

Replace when: Tread at 4/32" or damage visible

Good tire care extends tire life 10-15%, improves safety, and saves fuel. A few minutes of monthly attention pays off.

Last updated: January 2025