The Complete Driver's Guide to Tire Care

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Tires are one of the most safety-critical components on your vehicle, and also one of the most neglected. A proper tire-care routine costs almost nothing in time or money — and it can prevent a blowout at 70 mph.

**Check your tire pressure monthly.** Tires naturally lose about 1 PSI per month, plus roughly 1 PSI for every 10°F drop in temperature. Under-inflated tires wear unevenly, reduce fuel economy, and can overheat on highways. Your car's recommended PSI is printed on the sticker inside the driver's door jamb — not on the tire sidewall.

**Rotate every 5,000–7,500 miles.** Front tires wear faster than rear tires on front-wheel-drive cars. Rotating them extends the life of your full set by evening out the wear pattern. Most shops will do it for $20–$30, and many offer it free with an oil change.

**Inspect tread depth with a quarter.** Insert a quarter into a tread groove with Washington's head pointing down. If you can see the top of his head, your tires are at 4/32" — borderline. At that point, plan your replacement. At 2/32" (the legal minimum in most states), you're overdue.

**Look for uneven wear patterns.** Wear on only the center of the tread means you're over-inflated. Wear on both edges means under-inflated. Wear on one edge only suggests a wheel alignment issue. Each pattern points to a different fix.

**Buy tires before the first cold snap.** Tire shops get busy fast once temperatures drop. Buying in late September or early October often means better inventory, faster install times, and occasional end-of-season deals. Check Carunity before you call the shop.

A set of four quality all-season tires represents a real expense — but the combination of proper inflation, regular rotation, and timely replacement will stretch the life of your investment significantly.