Keep your tires running longer with this simple monthly and seasonal routine.
Category: Maintenance Tips · 5 min read
Your tires are the only thing connecting your vehicle to the road. A little routine maintenance goes a long way — extending tire life, improving fuel economy, and keeping you safe.
Here's a maintenance checklist tailored for Bay Area drivers.
Under-inflation is the #1 cause of premature tire wear. Check pressure at least once a month — more often if temperatures swing widely.
Where to find your spec: The sticker on the driver's side door jamb (NOT the number on the tire sidewall — that's the maximum, not the recommendation).
Pro tip: Check pressure when tires are cold (before driving). Heat from driving increases pressure by 2-4 PSI, giving false readings.
Walk around your car and look for:
Use the penny test: insert a penny head-down into the tread. If Lincoln's head is fully visible, you're at or below 2/32 inch and need new tires.
Rotating tires front-to-back (and side-to-side if not directional) evens out wear and extends life. Most manufacturers recommend every 5,000 to 7,500 miles.
Bonus: Many of our installations include free lifetime rotations. Just stop by.
Even a minor misalignment causes uneven wear. Get your alignment checked annually — and immediately after hitting a curb, pothole, or major road hazard.
If you feel vibration at highway speeds, your tires may be out of balance. We use road-force balancing for the most precise results.
California's first rain after summer is the most dangerous — accumulated oil makes roads slick. Make sure your tires have adequate tread depth (at least 4/32 inch recommended before rainy season).
If you drive to Tahoe or Yosemite, consider 3PMSF-rated all-weather tires or carry chains. Standard all-seasons don't perform well below 40°F in snow.
Hot pavement increases tire pressure. Check pressures more often in summer. This is also a good time to inspect for dry rot if your tires are 5+ years old.
Replace your tires when:
Look for a 4-digit number on the sidewall, like 3522. The first two digits are the week, the last two are the year. So 3522 means the tire was made in the 35th week of 2022.
Even if tread looks fine, tires older than 6-10 years should be replaced due to rubber degradation.
Not sure how your tires are doing? Stop by California Tires & Wheels for a free inspection. We'll check tread depth, pressure, sidewalls, and alignment — and tell you honestly what you need (and don't need).