What Does a Tire Rotation Do?
The name “tire rotation” can be a little misleading, as this is more of a tire swap. Tires that were in the front might be in the back now, and vice versa, depending on your car’s drive train. There’s a pretty good reason for all of this, though, as your tires aren’t all going to wear away at the same rate. If you drive a FWD vehicle, then the tires in the front are inevitably going to have to work harder. If you drive a RWD vehicle, then you’ll have the same issue, just with the tires in the back. We can swap them around for you so that each tire will experience a similar amount of wear as you drive.
What Is Tire Balancing and Tire Alignment?
This might come as a shock, but your tires usually aren’t all the same weight. Small differences in weight can heavily impact your performance on the road, and you might even find that your tires start to bounce. There’s a pretty easy fix for this, though, and that’s where tire balancing comes in. Our mechanics can add weights until all of your tires are even. With the help of a machine, they’ll be able to ensure that your tires are exactly where they need to be. As for your tire alignment, this service focuses on the position of your tires. If they’re turned a few degrees to the left or right, then it can cause your vehicle to drift when your hands are off the wheel, and your tires will wear down faster as well. We can make sure that your tires are in line with the rest of your car when you stop by. If you live near St. Louis, Alton, or Edwardsville, then we can handle your next tire rotation, balancing, or alignment today at Quality Cadillac.
What Can I Do in the Meantime?
If you’ve taken care of both of the services above, then your tires should be in great shape. Still, there are some things that you can do to maximize your mileage. For example, before you take any long trips, you should always give your car a quick walk-around. You should keep an eye out for anything that might be affecting your tires, and it’s always smart to check the tread while you’re at it. If your tires pass the eye test, then there’s one last thing to keep in mind: your air pressure. Some models track air pressure automatically, but if you drive an older vehicle, you’ll have to check it the old-fashioned way. Luckily, almost every gas station has an air pump that will be able to give you a reading. If your tires are too far away from their recommended PSI, then this is another factor that can affect the longevity of your tread.