The overall performance and tread life that you can expect from your new tires is almost completely dependent upon how ell you maintain your tires and the working components of your vehicle. Take a moment to learn more about what you can do to maximize the performance, safety and value of your tires.

The single most important factor affecting tire safety, performance and tread life is proper tire inflation. Under-inflation reduces gas mileage and the responsiveness of your vehicle. It also substantially increases the temperature of the tire, rapidly increasing tire wear and, in some cases, can cause a dangerous tire failure.

Over-inflation can also be dangerous. Over-inflated tires are more susceptible to punctures and damage form road hazards. It also causes irregular tire wear. Reduce your chance of inflation-related problems by taking the following steps.

• Identify your vehicle’s recommended tire air pressure in your owner’s manual or driver’s side door frame.
• Check your tire’s air pressure (including the spare) about once each month when the tires are cool to the touch. Add air as necessary.
• If you have any questions about maintaining the proper air pressure in your tires, stop by your nearest Big O Tire store. They’ll be glad to help.

Maintaining proper wheel alignment is another very important way that you can ensure safe vehicle performance and help maximize the tread life of your tires. The ear and tear of daily driving can result in worn out suspension parts and gradual misalignment contributing to excessive or irregular tire wear and unpredictable handling. Follow these steps to make sure your vehicle remains properly aligned.

• When purchasing new tires, always have your steering, suspension brakes and alignment checked.
• Check your tires on a regular basis for unusual or rapid tread wear that may indicate misalignment.
• If you notice any pulling, tugging or drifting when driving, have your alignment checked at your nearest Big O Tire store.

On most vehicles, greater weight, cornering and braking forces are concentrated on the front tires. This results in much faster wear on you front tires than on your rear tires. You can equalize and maximize the wear of all four tires by having them rotated at regular 5,000-mile intervals. Refer to you vehicle’s owner’s manual for recommended rotation procedure.

Vibration caused by improper wheel balancing can also adversely affect performance, ride quality and tread wear. Always have new tires properly balanced at the time of purchase and, it you ever feel vibration in your vehicles’ seat or steering wheel, chances are it’s time for a rebalance.

All tires are designed to carry a specific and limited amount of weight. Each tire’s maximum load rating is molded onto the sidewall of the tire and the combined load rating of all four tires is the maximum weight that can be carried including the vehicle and all of it’s contents. Never overload your tires as this will cause unpredictable handling and the danger of excessive heat and rapid tread wear similar to an under-inflated condition. To ensure maximum load carrying capacity, the tire must be inflated to its maximum air pressure. If the tire is inflated below the maximum air pressure, the load carrying capacity will be reduced accordingly.

Tires are constructed for a specific purpose and vehicle application. Replacing your OEM tires with tires of a different load, size or speed rating can affect the performance, handling and safety of your vehicle. Vehicle systems such as speedometers, transmissions and ABS brakes can be adversely affected, to help minimize the chance of a tire application problem, follow the steps below.

• Unless dictated by your owner’s manual, never run tires of different sizes on the same vehicle.
• Never run tires of different load ratings or speed ratings than specified in your owner’s manual.
• If you are considering a larger tire for a truck or SUV application, stop by your nearest Big O Tire store for information about fitment and vehicle performance.
• Never run a tire with a lower load rating than the one specified in you owner’s manual.

Some drivers require the added traction provided by seasonal snow and studded snow tires. The more open and aggressive tread pattern used for snow tires provides better traction in snow and mud, but can also change your vehicles’ handling characteristics. Studded snow tires further improve traction on ice and snow, however most states have limitations on when studded tires can be installed and studded tires will definitely affect vehicle handling and braking on dry roads. Remember the following when using snow tires and studded snow tires.

• Refer to you vehicle’s owner’s manual before installing studded snow tires to determine the appropriate tire position.
• Remove snow tires and studded tires as directed by weather and local state laws.
• De not run snow tires and studded tires on a year-round basis.

Tires that are placed in storage while not in use are subject to damage or deterioration from heat, salty air, liquids, sunlight and other factors. Therefore, it is important that tires are stored in a cool, dry place that is away from direct sun light, chemicals or other ozone producing materials.