Keep Up with Routine Maintenance
The tire is the piece of rubber attached to your wheel/rim that makes direct contact with the road. This direct contact leads to wear on your tire tread, and worn or uneven tread is one of the top reasons for tire replacement.
How can you maintain tires for longer wear? By keeping up with rotations, alignments, and balancing.
Tire Rotations
Routine tire rotations are essential for maintaining even tread wear. The tires at the front and back of your vehicle perform different jobs, and they carry different weights. If your tires remain in the same position, they'll wear out at different rates, meaning you'll have to replace them more often.
During a tire rotation, your tires are placed in different positions, usually in a cross pattern, to encourage even wear and help extend their use. Rotations should generally be done around 5,000 miles, but you'll want to reference your owner's manual for your INFINITI's recommended scheduled maintenance.
Alignments
Alignment keeps your tires straight, and something as simple as hitting a curb or pothole can throw it off. Misalignment can lead to quicker, uneven tread wear that leaves you needing new tires sooner than anticipated. You should have your alignment checked at least once a year or more often if you hit something like a pothole or you notice your vehicle drifting to one side.
Tire Balancing
Balanced tires are important for both a smooth ride and even tread. Most tires will have a heavy spot, and a small weight is added to your tire for even weight distribution. When tires are unbalanced, you might experience bumpier rides and the tread can wear down faster. It's usually a good idea to have your tires balanced when you take them in for a rotation.
Check Your Air Pressure Regularly
The importance of tire pressure is often overlooked, but it can have a big impact on your vehicle's handling and tread wear. Tires that are overinflated will wear out faster in the center and can lead to dangerous blowouts. On the other hand, tires that are underinflated will wear out faster on the outside and can cause lower gas mileage.
Checking your tire pressure is a relatively simple task you can do at home. The right air pressure varies depending on the vehicle, so you'll need to check your owner's manual for the proper PSI (pounds per square inch) for your INFINITI.
Be Aware of Your Driving Habits
How and where you drive can also affect your tires. Off-roading without the proper equipment or driving on rough roads can increase the chances of your alignment being thrown off. Abrupt braking, hard acceleration, and rough gear changes can be harsh on your tires and shorten their life. Be mindful of how you drive and leave plenty of braking distance, take corners slowly, and ease into the gas pedal when accelerating.
What Are Signs That You Need New Tires?
Even with proper maintenance and care, all tires need to be replaced at some point. But how long should tires last? Tire life depends on a number of factors, including tire type, the climate you live in, and how well you take care of your tires. On average, tires are expected to last around three to five years or 60,000 to 75,000 miles. Signs it may be time for new tires include:
- Low Tire Tread: Your tires should be above 3/32 of an inch. You can check your tread with a tread depth gauge or a quarter test. For the quarter test, insert a quarter head-first into the tread. You shouldn't be able to see the top of Washington's head, and if his entire head is visible, you might want to look for new tires.
- Vibrating: If your steering wheel is constantly vibrating or shaking, your tires might be misaligned, unbalanced, or have a structural problem. You should have your tires inspected right away and think about getting a new set.
- Cracked or Damaged Sidewalls: Your sidewalls will naturally wear down over time, and you should keep an eye out for visible damage. Cracks, cuts, and blisters can lead to a blowout, so you'll want to replace your tires right away.
How to Choose New Tires
Choosing tires made to fit your INFINITI is a good first step toward helping your tires last longer. What should you look for when buying tires?
- Tire Type: Tires are available in different types. You'll likely have all-terrain, all-season, summer, and winter tires to choose from. Select the type that best fits your climate and driving style.
- Tire Size: You'll need to find tires that physically fit your vehicle. You can find details about tire size in your owner's manual, or you can check the tire information sticker on your driver's side door jamb.
- Speed Rating: The speed rating tells you how fast a car can go for extended periods of time, as well as the performance potential. You can also find speed rating information in your owner's manual.
- Treadwear Grade: The treadwear rating is indicated on a tire's sidewall. This rating can give you an idea of the tire's expected wear. The higher the treadwear grade is, the longer your tires are likely to last.
Properly caring for your tires can help you keep them on the road for years. Follow these maintenance tips and shop INFINITI tire compatible parts online at INFINITI Parts & Accessories to help get the most life out of your tires. Don't forget to stop by your local service center to have your tires serviced or replaced by our trained technicians.