The Dos and Don’ts of Tire Maintenance: A Guide from Fisher Honda

Now that spring has almost sprung, there’s a lot to do to prepare for warmer weather. You might do some spring-cleaning, or hit the gym in preparation for your new wardrobe, but did you think to add maintaining your tires to that list? If the answer is no, then you should! Winter driving is notoriously hard on your car, so there’s no better time than the present to buy new tires at Fisher Honda or make sure your existing tires are in good shape.

After all, spring is about new beginnings. Shouldn’t a new tire care routine be among them? Our expert service technicians have put together a list of the Do’s and Don’ts of caring for your tires.

Do:

Know Your Stuff: Be proactive about your safety by giving your tires a routine once-over for any warning signs. Some signs that your tires may need a professional inspection: cracks or cuts, uneven wear on your treads, bulges, or vibrations.

Use a Gauge: Though seeing is believing, sometimes our eyes deceive us. That’s why we recommend using a tire gauge to check your tire pressure once a month in addition to performing frequent visual checks. A gauge will run you about $5 at any local auto-parts store.

Rotate: Get the most mileage possible out of your tires by rotating them every 8,000 miles, or sooner if you notice signs of uneven wear.

Don’t:

Just eyeball it: While a visual check is a must for detecting wear and tear, it isn’t the best way to judge tire pressure. Most modern tires have a slight bulge to them and may look underinflated even at their ideal PSI. If you think your tires may be low, check your gauge to make sure before filling.

Skip the Reading Material: It’s easy to go by the maximum tire pressure imprinted on the side of your tires, but what’s best for one car may not be good for another. To achieve the best PSI for your Honda, look in your owner’s manual or check the door card.

Procrastinate: Did you know that an estimated 50% of cars on the road are driving on at least one underinflated tire? Not only is this a potentially unsafe driving practice, it also lessens your vehicle’s performance and fuel economy. Keep your car in tip-top shape by checking and re-filling your tires regularly.

Fisher Honda Can Help!

If you’ve done all of the above and find that your tires are coming up short, Fisher Honda’s full service center has a solution. Simply schedule an appointment for a tire rotation or balance, or check out our selection of new tires today!