Checking your tires can result in big savings, safety

By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    Most motorists are diligent about getting their oil changed, fixing their brakes or replacing their shocks and struts, but few pay close enough attention to something far more important — their tires.
    “Tires are perhaps the most neglected item on a vehicle,” said Jody Anderson, owner of Hogan Tire Company in Houlton. “Tires are the first things that meet the road. They are the things that give you stability and traction.”
    Proper tire maintenance is an important safety function often neglected. Under inflation is the leading cause of tire failure and most times people do not even realize their tires are low in pressure.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
CHECK PLEASE — Ricky Anderson of Hogan Tire in Houlton checks the pressure on a tire during a routine examination of a vehcile. Check your tires once a month to ensure the proper inflation.
    “People are very naïve when it comes to checking tires,” Anderson said. “They often buy the cheapest tires they can and then don’t think about them, unless they have a flat. You can have the best brakes in the world, but if your tires don’t grip the road it doesn’t do you any good.”
    A tire can be as much as 50 percent under the recommended PSI (pounds per square inch) before it becomes visibly noticeable. Tires can lose one PSI per month under normal conditions. That rate of loss goes up as the temperature drops.
    Anderson said people should check the tire pressure when the tires are cold to ensure an accurate reading. As tires are used, they heat up, causing the air to expand.
    “You should check your tire pressure on a monthly basis,” he said. “Some of the newer vehicles have sensors that check your air pressure automatically, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still check them yourselves. Those sensors arrived from people not taking care of their tires.”
    Not only are under inflated tires more likely to become damaged, they can also lead to higher fuel costs by as much as 3 to 5 cents per gallon. Tire pressure gauges can be purchased at most department or automotive stores. Many garages will also provide this service free of charge.
    “An under-inflated tire costs you fuel, costs you performance and it’s a safety issue,” Anderson said.
    Recommended tire pressure varies depending on the size of the tire and the type of vehicle. The suggested PSI (pound per square inch) can be located on the inside of the driver’s side door. Normal weather and cold weather recommended PSI are typically listed.
    “Most tires today also have a wear indicator that shows you when it’s time for them to be replaced,” Anderson said. “When you see that indicator, legally, you are supposed to remove the tire.”
    The wear indicator is a solid line that goes across the tire. Examine the inside of tire treads and the line can be seen. When that line forms a horizontal line across the tire, it’s time for them to be changed.
    To save wear on your treads, Anderson recommends rotating your tires ever 5,000-6,000 miles. A good way to remember this is to have your tires rotated on every other oil change.
    One tried and true method for determining if your tires are too worn is the penny method. To do this, place a penny inside the tires grooves. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, the treads are worn and the tires should be replaced.