What Does Tire Maintenance Mean?

While often overlooked, your tires are a critical component of your vehicle. They are the only thing between you and the pavement, and to ensure they perform at their best and are safe for the roads of Guam, proper maintenance is a must. What does tire maintenance mean? It means bringing your vehicle in for regular tire service and staying vigilant in monitoring tire condition and pressure levels. In the guide below from Triple J Guam, we cover how to fill car tires with air, how to inspect your tires, and the services your tires need during regular visits to our service center.

How to Inspect Your Tires

Why do new car tires wear out so fast? It’s often due to improper maintenance. Even the best tires will wear down eventually, but there are steps you can take to maximize their lifespan. Inspecting your tires and keeping them inflated to the recommended pressure are two easy ways to make sure you get the most out of your tires.

We recommend inspecting your tires once a month. Here’s what to look for:

• Over/under inflation: If tires are over-inflated, the middle section will bulge, and there will be more wear on the edges. With under-inflated tires, the sides will sag, causing the edges to wear down prematurely.
• Improper alignment: If your tires are inflated properly, but you notice one side of the tire is showing more signs of wear, it could be due to improper alignment.
• Thumping/rumbling: It is important to inspect your tires while driving as well because some issues are not evident with a simple visual inspection. If you notice unusual feelings or sounds, it may be due to a separated radial belt.
• Pulling: Do you notice your vehicle pulling to one side as you drive around Palau and Federated States of Micronesia? It may be another sign of misaligned tires.

How to Fill Car Tires with Air

Wondering how to fill car tires with air? It may seem like a difficult task, but it’s actually quite simple. Some vehicles have an automatic TPMS that keeps track of tire pressure, but you can also use a tire pressure gauge. Place the gauge onto the tire’s valve stem and press firmly. If the pressure reads below the recommended level, slowly add air with an air pump or even a bike pump. Check the pressure level every couple of seconds to avoid over-inflating the tires. Do this for all tires, and don’t forget the spare!

Recommended Tire Services

Keeping up with your vehicle’s maintenance schedule is critical, and there are several tire maintenance tasks that are included during regular service visits.

• Tire rotation: Have tires rotated every 5,000 to 7,000 miles, as the back and front tires perform different functions.
• Wheel balance: If you notice a vibration in the steering wheel, the floorboard, or your seat, your wheels may need to be balanced.
• Wheel alignment: Wheels should be realigned every 12,000 miles or if you notice your car pulling to one side.

Triple J Guam is Here to Answer Your Questions

Do car tires have tubes? How often do I need to replace my tires? The team at Triple J Guam is here to answer all of your tire care questions. Contact us today or check out our service tips and tricks.