Keeping your car in good working order means keeping up with maintenance. When most people think of maintenance, they aren’t necessarily thinking of their tires, yet your tires are an important part of any maintenance routine. When comes to picking the right tires, you need to have reliable professionals on your side. Here are a few questions you should ask the next time you visit the tire shop.

1. How Do I Know It’s Time to Replace Tires?

One way to tell if you need to replace your tires is the penny test. Take a penny and place it in the groove of a tire. Your tread is still good if Lincoln’s hair is covered. If not, then it’s time to get new tires because the tread on your tires is wearing down. If the tread on your tires reaches 2/32 it’s considered legally bald, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. This means your tires don't have good traction, which makes for unsafe driving conditions. Your tires are engineered precisely for safety, performance, and endurance, but the integrity and safety of the tires will only last for so long. When the tire starts to wear down, you need to visit a local tire shop for replacements.

2. Why Are Tires Different Prices?

As with most products, there is the basic cost of raw materials. Outside of that, there are several different factors. The size of the tire can affect cost. Large truck tires cost more than smaller ones simply because they use more material. There are other factors too, though. For instance, some tires have more advanced designs and technology that increase the functionality of the tire as well as the price. Tires are tested for stopping and turning performance. Those with better performance ratings are often more expensive.

3. Do Tires Affect My Fuel Economy?

Tires can definitely affect fuel economy. According to the Department of Energy, you can see fuel economy improvement of 15% to 20% when you select high-quality tires. Fuel economy is also impacted by proper air inflation, so be sure to keep an eye on your tire pressure.

If you are looking for a local tire shop, please contact Pro Custom & Tire today. We are here for your tire and automotive needs.