Every so often (usually 30,000 to 50,000 miles) vehicle owners will need to replace their tires due to normal wear.  One of the easiest ways to determine if you need new tires is the “penny test.”  Take a penny and stick it upside down into the tread groove on your tire.  If you can see the top of Abe’s head, you should consider purchasing new tires.  Most tires come equipped with tread depth indicators.  Each tread groove has four to five spots that are slightly higher (2/32 of an inch usually) than the rest of the groove.  When these indicator spots wear down, it creates visible and noticeable gaps in the tire groove.  This is also a sign that you might be due for new tires.

What can go wrong?

According to recent study by the National Transportation and Safety Administration, available at www.nhtsa.dot.gov, more than 25% of all passenger cars and more than 33% of all loght trucks have under inflated tires.  What does this mean to you?

• Lower gas mileage - Lower tire pressure means lower gas mileage.  For each pound of under inflation, your gas mileage can drop up to one percent!
• Tire failure - Under inflation is the leading cause of tire failure.
• Faster tread wear - Lower tire pressure also causes the tread to wear out faster and forces premature replacement.
• Poor handling - The point where the tire meets the road is a crucial element in determining the ride control of your vehicle.  Under inflation prevents your ride control system from functioning properly.

• The proper tire pressure is available to you in a number of locations in the owner’s manual or on the door jam or doorpost.  Many vehicles now also have a sticker on the interior of the gas cap.

• The pressure listed on the exterior of the tire is the maximum pressure that the tire should be inflated to, not necessarily the ideal pressure.

• Always take the tire’s pressure when the tires are cold driven less than one mile.

• Tires will lose about one pound per square inch (PSI) for every 10-degree drop in the temperature.

• Tires will also lose pressure over time about one PSI per month.

• To improve the life of your tires, rotate them on a regular basis – every 5,000 to 8,000 miles.  Every other oil change is a good rule of thumb.

How does Tuffy make it right?
Ask your Tuffy technician to inspect your tires with every oil change!

Tuffy sells all major brands of tires and can assist you in finding the right size and type for your vehicle.  Many Tuffy stores also offer Nitrogen tire inflation.  Commonly used in racecars and airplanes, inflating tires with Nitrogen gas keeps the tire pressure constant due to the lack of moisture that comes with traditional tire inflation.  Ask your Tuffy technician to check your pressure, tread depth and wear patterns if you have any concerns.