Tire maintenance is essential to your vehicle’s performance. That’s why AMSOIL: Synthetic Oil Outlet in Staten Island put together this guide to help you take care of them and make them last longer in good shape. 

Keep an Eye on Your Tires

One of the most important things you can do for your tires is to keep an eye on them on your day-to-day. This can help you catch any issues like foreign objects embedded in them, low pressure, bulges, or cracks that could cause your tires to wear out prematurely. Keep in mind that if caught in its early stages, many tire problems can be fixed with a quick visit to your nearest tire shop. Tread depth is another important factor in how safe your tires are, as these are tasked with gripping the road and keeping your car stable. Good quality tires are meant to last between three and five years, but this greatly depends on how well you care for them and road conditions. To check if your treads are still deep enough, your best bet is to do the penny test, which consists of placing a penny upside down in your treads and checking if you can see the top of President Lincoln’s head. If you can, it means your treads are shallow, and you need to change your tires.

A regular maintenance routine that includes its tires can help your vehicle perform better for longer. Make you’re using the best products for its maintenance by calling Synthetic Oil Outlet at (718) 354-0548 or visiting AMSOIL's online store to see the large array of products they offer.

Tire Rotation is Essential

Rotating your tires is another essential step in your tire maintenance routine. Tires need to be rotated every 7,500 miles or after every six months of use. Rotation helps distribute the wear evenly among your tires and helps keep them from wearing out prematurely. One option is to take your car in for a rotation, but you can also do it at home if you have the right equipment.

At-Home Tire Rotation

If you decide to go for an at-home tire rotation, you’ll need some equipment to do it safely and know how to do it. You need a car jack, a lug wrench, and jack stands. Follow these instructions to rotate your tires:

1. Lift your vehicle using the car jack.
2. Figure out if you have directional or non-directional tires before removing them. Directional tires should be rotated from front to back, and non-directional tires in a crisscross pattern.
3. Prop up your car using the jack stands and remove the tires. Follow the pattern indicated for your type of tires.
4. Set the tires in their new position. Don’t tighten them yet.
5. Lower the jack and tighten the lug nuts slightly as it goes down.
6. Once you have the car flat on the ground, finish tightening the lug nuts.

Synthetic Oil Outlet has excellent products for your car’s maintenance, like AMSOIL’s Signature Series 5W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil. Give them a call at  (718) 354-0548 and talk to one of their oil experts or visit AMSOIL's online store to place an order anytime!

Check Tire Pressure Regularly

Tire pressure is another essential factor in keeping your tires in good condition, as it can help your car handle the road better, increase its performance and decrease its fuel consumption. Check your tire pressure every two to four weeks or before a more extended road trip to ensure they’re at the indicated one. If you’re unsure what the recommended tire pressure is, check your owner’s manual or inside the driver’s door. Tip: Keep a tire gauge in your glove compartment for a quick pressure check.

Do Your Tires Match?

Lastly, checking if your tires match is another crucial step in your tire maintenance routine. Having mismatched tires can lead to them wearing out unevenly, as different tires require different air pressure and have differences in tread patterns and thickness. Cars that have matching tires will perform better than those that don’t. One common way people have mismatched tires is by using their spare for more than it’s recommended. Spare tires are meant to be driven for about 70 miles as they’re smaller than your car’s regular tires.

We hope these tire maintenance tips help keep your tires in good shape for longer. For more information on vehicle maintenance, call Synthetic Oil Outlet at  (718) 354-0548 and speak to one of their oil pros to optimize your maintenance routine. Also, don’t forget you can place your order at AMSOIL's online store anytime!