The 411 on Tires

Image from Tour de Fat : Shoes as Bike Tires! 

2014 is finally here! For many people, a New Year's Resolution is in order. For some it could be cutting out sweets, or saving more money for retirement. Others, it's pushing themselves and getting to the gym to prepare for a marathon or two during the warmer weather (which we so dearly miss!) The most important thing you will need to make your workouts more tolerable are a good pair of shoes. Your feet and shoes are the most important factor in your mobility, and same goes for the tires on your vehicle!

Throughout this article, we will look into how to get the most out of your current tires.



There are many factors that determine how long your tires will last: 
How You Drive :
Now, being from the Chicago suburbs, I have a tendency to have a lead foot. I love pretending to be able to drive like Jeremy Clarkson from Top Gear.
Just kidding! Although it would be tons of fun to have his job!

Accelerating and stopping quickly is going to wear my tires out a little faster than those of you who accelerate accordingly. Along with that, braking from a farther distance will extend the life of your tires. If you're like me and are experiencing a lead foot, practice makes perfect! Just keep reminding yourself you'll get there when you get there. Not to mention you will be saving some $$$ in the meantime!

Where You Drive :
Depending on where you mainly drive, the road conditions can really dictate the life of your tires. If you're mainly driving on gravel roads, expect more wear in the same amount of time compared to driving on the highway daily. If you're doing a lot of city driving, the extra braking at lights will impact your tread. There are measures you can take no matter where you're driving. See the Rotations and Alignment section below.

Tire Pressure Sensor on Dashboard

Tire Pressure : 
When driving your vehicle, you should be aware of your tire pressures. Since 2008, tire pressure sensors have been built into vehicles, BUT please be aware that these are just machines gauging your tires, and you or a Technician should inspect your pressure regularly. Please keep in mind that for every 10 degree temperature drop, your PSI (Pounds per Square Inch) goes down by 1.

Sticker on Driver's Side Door of a Ford Fusion

Tire pressure changes from vehicle to vehicle. You can find out how much air to put in your tires by consulting the inside of the driver's door, or your owner's manual.
               
Rotations :
Rotations are very influential for the longevity of your tires. Tire rotations increase the lifespan of your tires. The majority of vehicles on the road are FWD, which means the front tires are giving you the power to move your vehicle. This means that the tread on the front tires will wear quicker than the rear. When rotations are performed, you are giving your tires the chance to even out the rear and front treads. For example, I had my tires rotated when I had my last oil change. The front tread was 7/32nds, and my front were 9/32nds. Yes, you could do this task yourself with a simple car jack, but it would take you a decent amount of time to tackle this feat. At Victory Ford in Dyersville, Iowa, we offer this service for $12! Definitely worth your time! Click here to schedule your tire rotation, or call 563.875.2409 today!

Alignment :
If your vehicle tends to be pulling harder on one side over another, you might be having some alignment issues. A vehicle that has poor alignment will cause the tires to wear unevenly or your steering wheel could develop a shake. Our Service Manager, Kevin Krogman, suggests you get a 4 Wheel Alignment about once a year.

We tend to think that 'Out of Sight, Out of Mind' is the best practice for our vehicles. Considering that the majority of the population relies heavily on their vehicle, it has almost become an extremity like an arm or leg. We go to the doctor for prevention of illnesses, and we should be doing the same for our vehicles!

Victory Ford wants to help make this process easier for you. If you buy 4 (four) tires of any brand from Victory Ford in Dyersville, we will give you FREE Tire Rotations throughout the lifetime of those tires. Just mention this blog to our Service Department, and we would be more than happy to assist you!

If you are experiencing any issues with your tires, please contact Victory Ford's Service Department at 563.875.2409 to schedule an appointment! We would be more than happy to have one of our highly experienced Technicians inspect your vehicle and remedy any problems you're experiencing.