How To Get The Most Out Of Your Tires.

AIR PRESSURE
Even with all the hi-tech goodies found in today's modern automobiles, tires are probably the single most important safety feature on your vehicle. One of the easiest ways to maintain the performance and life of your tires is to keep them inflated properly. Check the air pressure in all four tires at least once a month, or especially before long trips. Inflate the tires to your vehicle manufacturer's recommended level. This information is also often located on a placard on the vehicle's doorjamb.

• Invest in a good pressure gauge. Remember, gas station gauges are often inaccurate.
• Hot air expands. For accurate pressure readings, always check your tires when they are cold.
• In summer, it's best to inflate tires in the morning before the day heats up.
• Check valve stems for cracks or damage. Make sure all valve stems are capped tightly to minimize air loss.

ROTATION
Regular rotation will extend the life of your tires and save you money. Rotation ensures even tire wear and will help your tires last as long as possible and maintain ride, performance and traction on the road.

You should rotate your tires every six months or 6,000 miles for most vehicles. If you have performance tires, rotate them every 3,000-4,000 miles since softer tread compounds often wear more quickly.

ALIGNMENT
Alignment is a key factor in getting the most performance and wear out of your tires. As a rule, every vehicle should have an alignment done every year, or every 12,000 miles. Your vehicles suspension is made up of a number of components and systems that all need to be in perfect alignment and working together. Bad roads and normal wear from driving can throw everything out of balance over time and cause excessive tire wear and other problems.

When To Check it:

• You notice your vehicle pulling to the right or left
• You notice unusual vibrations at higher speeds
• You hit something on the road
• Your steering wheel is off-center when you're driving straight

  Computerized Alignment
  Today's sophisticated automobile suspension systems require a precise, computerized alignment specifically for your vehicle that will result in all four wheels being parallel to each other and perpendicular to the ground. The three most important adjustments made in an alignment are Camber, Caster and Toe.

• Camber
  Camber is simply the angle of the wheel when viewed from in front of the vehicle. Positive camber describes a wheel that is leaning out from the center of the car. Negative camber describes a wheel that is leaning in. A wheel leaning too far from center will cause uneven, excessive tire wear.
• Caster
  Not enough caster causes your car to "wander" and feel unstable.
  Too much caster makes steering difficult and can result in shimmying.
  
  Viewed from the side, caster is the forward or rearward tilt of the steering axis Measured from the top of the tire... an imaginary line drawn between the upper and lower steering knuckles to form an angle with true vertical. If the angle is towards the rear, the wheel has positive caster. If the angle is to far forward, the wheel has negative caster. Caster affects low-speed steering, high-speed directional stability and how well you car drives in a straight line.
• Toe
  Incorrect toe settings knocked out of whack by wear or impacts can cause your tires to wear quickly. Usually tires are set up so they are parallel to each other. Toe is the difference in the distance between the front of your tires and the back of your tires. Toe settings affect the handling of a vehicle in turns so it is extremely important for safety and stability that they are set correctly for your vehicle.
  
  Camber, caster and toe settings are all checked and adjusted during a wheel alignment. By getting an alignment done once or twice a year, you will extend the life of your tires and prevent your car from wandering all over the road.