Tire care tips

Robertson Tire knows you want to get the best performance and lifespan from your tires. There are many things you can do to get the most out of your tires. Check out the following tire care tips to help maintain that will help "keep you rollin'" for thousands of miles to come. According to the tire experts at the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co., taking proper care of your tires can prolong tread life by as much as 50 percent at virtually no extra cost! Taking just a few minutes a week, they say, to maintain proper inflation levels and check for unusual wear patterns will maximize safety, add thousands of miles to the tread life and help increase fuel economy.

Air Pressure

The single greatest cause of tire damage is improper inflation. Your tires will lose pressure over time. This results in poor gas mileage, stress on your tires, and irregular tread wear. Your vehicle should have a manual in your glove box or a placard on the inside of the door that shows how much air pressure is required. If you are uncertain of your air pressure, come by any Robertson Tire location today for a free inflation check and fill.

Underinflated tires run hotter than properly inflated ones, developing excessive heat that leads to tire failure. An underinflated tire also wears abnormally, with the tread on the outside edges of the tire wearing faster than the tread in the center of the tire. Driving on underinflated tires can cost you up to a mile a gallon in fuel economy because it takes more fuel to overcome the rolling resistance of a partially inflated tire. It is also dangerous. Driving on underinflated tires adversely affects handling and the tire can overheat and blowout.

Apart from not filling them properly to begin with, tires lose air naturally, through a process called permeation and changes in the outside temperature can affect the rate at which your tires lose air. On the average, a tire will lose one or two pounds of air per month in cool weather, and more during the warmer months.

Over-inflation, or putting too much air in the tire, is another common mistake. Putting too much air in a tire is almost as bad as not enough, resulting in premature tread wear in the center of the tire and increased operating temperatures that can, again, lead to a blowout. Also, don't make the mistake of thinking that if an underinflated tire costs you in fuel economy, an overinflated one will help your gas mileage. While it is true that an overinflated tire rolls more easily and can improve fuel economy a little, the costs of excessive tread wear and danger of blowout more than offset the small increase in fuel economy.

SAFETY WARNING:

Serious injury may result from tire underinflation/overloading. Follow Owner's Manual and tire placard in vehicle.

Nitrogen

Robertson Tire sells nitrogen for your tires at all eleven locations. Inflating tires with nitrogen increases fuel efficiency, gives your tires longer life, and help to decrease blowouts. Join NASCAR and commercial airlines who are already using nitrogen, and fill up today!

Wheel Alignment

If your car's suspension system is out of alignment, it may cause your tires to move in a slight different direction that you are steering them. This might feel like a pull to the left or right while attempting to steer straight. Potholes and rough roads are often the culprit. The result is usually greater than normal friction on the tire and irregular tread wear. You should have Robertson Tire check your alignment at least once a year, and especially after you hit a large pothole or curb.

Cleaning and Treatment

Sidewalls are specially compounded to resist ozone cracking or weather checking. Use a mild soap solution to clean sidewalls, white striping or lettering, and rinse off with plain water.

Rotation

Each tire on your vehicle probably supports a different amount of weight. This unequal weight causes your tires to wear at different rates. By having your tires rotated from front to back consistently, you can extend their life expectancy. Ideally, you should have Robertson Tire rotate your tires every 6,000 miles.

Computer Balancing

When a tire and wheel are assembled (called a wheel/tire assembly), there is often more weight on one side of the wheel than the other. This means that it is not properly balanced. The result is that your tires will spin unevenly, and that will cause them to bounce. You'll get an uncomfortable ride, the steering wheel will vibrate, and you'll damage your tires and suspension system. These problems can be easily prevented by having Robertson Tire balance your tires using a state-of-the-art computer balancing machine. Robertson Tire computer balances every tire/wheel when you purchase them at one of our locations.

Loading Your Vehicle

Check your vehicle's Owner's Manual to determine the load limits.

Maintain axle loads below specified vehicle and tire capacities. Replacement tire load capacity (lbs.) must always meet or exceed original tire "Max Load." Overloading your vehicle places stress on your tires and other critical vehicle components. Overloading can cause tire failure. Overloading a vehicle can also cause poor handling and increase fuel consumption. Never fit tires with less load capacity than shown on the vehicle tire placard or Original Equipment tire sidewalls.

Winter

Tires with this new designation provide a higher level of snow and ice traction compared to M&S or unmarked tires. Therefore, they must be mounted only in sets of four (4). This is necessary to maintain the handling balance of the vehicle both in snow and ice conditions as well as on dry pavement.

Tread Depth

The tread is the part of the tire that touches the road. As the tread wears down, its ability to grip the road in inclement weather also diminishes. If tires are not maintained properly, the surface can become too smooth, or even completely bald. This is dangerous and illegal in many states. To get a free legal measurement of your tire's tread depth, bring your vehicle into any Robertson Tire location today.

Have Any Questions?

Contact us and one of your professional service advisors will be able to help you. Contact Robertson Tire now.