Some of the most important items on your automobile (or motorcycle or bike, for that matter) are the tires. Let’s face it: without ‘em, you won’t be going anywhere, no matter what kind of shape your engine is in. Here are some basics for checking your tires.

1. Tire pressure. The most important thing to check regularly with respect to your tires is the air pressure. A tire may lose as much as half of its recommended air pressure and still appear fine. A tire gauge will let you know when it’s time to add more air to your tires.
2. Alignment. It’s important to keep your tires properly aligned to prevent uneven or excessive wear. Striking a pothole or bumping a curb while parking may knock your tires out of alignment. Have the alignment checked regularly.
3. Rotate your tires about every 6,000 miles to ensure uniform wear. Some manufacturers have different recommendations, so check with your tire dealer or manufacturer.
4. Visual inspection of your tires’ treads can help prevent a roadside emergency. Look for smooth areas, uneven wear, or debris stuck in the treads. Before you remove anything from the tread, check to make sure your spare tire is inflated — just in case.

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[tags]tire, auto care, rotate tire, tire rotation, tread, alignment[/tags]