Your vehicle’s tires are the point of contact with the road and can suffer a lot of wear and tear over time. Tire integrity is a vital part of safety on the road, and it’s vital to keep them in good condition, no matter what season it is. Regular tire maintenance is a great way to make sure that your Lexus performs at its best even when road conditions are bad and can keep you and your family safe while maintaining the value of your vehicle.
At Lexus of Steven’s Creek, we want to ensure our customers stay safe on the road, and tire maintenance is a big part of this. In this article, we’ll explain why it’s crucial to check your tires regularly and list some signs that your tires might need maintenance or replacement. We also explain how Lexus of Steven’s Creek can help you with all your tire needs.
Why Is Tire Maintenance Important?
Lexus Tires
Tire maintenance is one of the most fundamental ways to keep your vehicle safe and functional. Your tires will wear down as you drive, especially if you regularly drive off-road or on abrasive surfaces. This can lead to thinning of the tire walls, making flats and blowouts more likely. These incidents can be costly, dangerous, and inconvenient, and it’s important to make sure that you take care of any issues before taking your family on the road.
Regular maintenance can prevent dangerous incidents on the road, giving you and your family peace of mind and ensuring that your car is in good working order when you need it. It can also help identify issues early before they become more severe and require costly repairs. Although taking your car in for professional maintenance may seem expensive, the savings can add up in the long term.
When Is It Time To Check Your Tires?
While regular maintenance is imperative, it’s also easy to check your tires at home regularly. This is a good habit and can save you unnecessary hassles. When you inspect your tires, start by checking the tread. Next, you can check their pressure. If the tires don’t feel firm or are seriously depressed at the bottom, the pressure is low, and you need to fill them at a gas station or other spot with an air pump.
Deflation may also be a sign that your tire is punctured, which may require replacement or repair by a professional. If your tires aren’t inflating, or if you hear a hissing sound of air escaping, take it into a garage as soon as possible. When inspecting your tires, it’s also important to look for visible damage, including missing chunks of rubber, cracks, or protrusions. These can signify severe damage, and you should have the tires checked immediately. This is especially true if the belts are visible underneath the rubber. You should never drive your vehicle in this condition.
Try to inspect your car’s tires regularly, maybe once a week. If you’re driving on rough surfaces, inspect your tires for damage when you get home. Aside from these simple assessments, it’s essential to get your tires checked by a professional. Slippery road conditions make good tires especially important, so check them before winter arrives and make sure they’re in good condition. Finally, always check your tires whenever you plan to go on a long road trip or if your car is involved in an accident.
Signs That Your Tires Need Maintenance or Replacement
These are some of the primary signs that you should take your car into a garage for a professional inspection:
Old tires
Like many other things, tires have an expiration date, usually no more than ten years from their manufacture date. You can check the age of your tires by finding the four-digit number after the DOT stamping on the side of the tire. The first two numbers represent the week of the tire’s manufacture, and the last two represent the year.
Worn treads
You can easily check the depth of your treads at home by inserting a penny upside down into the grooves. If you can still see the top of Lincoln’s head when you insert the penny, it’s time to replace your tires.
Cracks, bulges, or missing chunks
If your tires show any of these signs, they may have serious structural damage, and driving on them is probably unsafe. You should take your car in for an inspection as soon as possible.
Uneven wear
While checking out your tires, you may notice that some areas are wearing faster than others. This can indicate various things, including a lack of tire rotation, improper pressure, or misalignment. If you notice this, take your car to a mechanic so they can examine the safety of your tires and provide any necessary maintenance.
Low pressure
Besides inspecting your tires visually, you can check their pressure with a gauge at home. Let your tires cool for a couple of hours, remove the valve cap, and press the gauge onto the valve stem until the hissing stops to get your reading. You can then compare that to the manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure.
Tire Maintenance at Lexus of Stevens Creek
At Lexus Stevens Creek, we have a staff of friendly and fully certified technicians who specialize in working on Lexus vehicles. We offer competitive pricing and can help you with all your tire maintenance needs. We also offer 24-month road hazard protection for qualifying products. You can schedule your appointment easily online and gain peace of mind knowing our mechanics will give you the best service around.
Now that you know how crucial tire maintenance is for your vehicle’s overall health and your family’s safety, we hope you’ll let Lexus of Stevens Creek handle all your tire needs. Our staff would love to help you get new tires if necessary, and you have our guarantee that you’ll be treated like family when you come in.
If you’re in the market for a new or used car, we can also help with that. You can swing by our dealership any time or give us a call with any questions you have. Our friendly staff can answer any queries about service, inventory financing, warranties, and specials. Good luck, and stay safe on the road. We hope to see you soon at Lexus of Stevens Creek.
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