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Tire Pressure Maximize your tires' performance and durability by monitoring and maintaining correct air pressure. Air is a gas, expanding when heated and contracting when cooled. for most of North America, Fall and early Winter are especially important times for checking tire pressure - as the ambient temperature falls, tire pressure goes down. A good rule of thumb is that every 10 degrees Fahrenheit temperature changetire pressure changes about 1 psi - higher as temperatures rise, lower as they fall. Also, check your vehicle's Owner's Manual for recommended tire pressure. Under-inflated tires can cause:
Premature or irregular wear
Poor handling
Reduced fuel economy Over-inflated tires can cause:
Unusual wear
Poor handling
Reduced fuel economy
Checking Air Pressure Check your vehicle's tires at least once a month, when the tires are cold (let the vehicle sit for at least 3 hours). Look in your Owner's Manual for the recommended tire inflation for your vehicle. Use a quality gauge. Don't "eyeball" tires - radial tires can look fine even when they're under-inflated. Be sure to look for objects that have become wedged in the thread - they can work themselves further into the tire and cause air loss. And, dont forget to check the spare! Tire Rotation Since each tire performs different tasks (such as steering or front verses rear wheel drive), tires wear at different rates. Rotating your tires at recommended intervals extends their useful life and achieves more uniform tire wear. It's important to rotate your tires according to the correct tire roration pattern. Front tires encounter different tasks than rear tires. And, a front wheel drive car's tires perform different tasks than those on a rear wheel drive car. Your Owner's Manual specifies which rotation pattern is right for your vehicle. Your vehicle's front and rear tires may also use different pressures - make sure to adjust individual tire pressure to the recommendation for each wheel position. See your Owner's Manual for recommendations. Wheel Rust or Dirt Rust or dirt may not allow proper tightening of the lug nuts and a wheel may loosen over time. When you have your tires rotated, be sure to remove any rust or dirt from places where the wheel attaches to the vehicle and torque the wheel lug nuts to the specification in your Owner's Manual. In an emergency, you can use a cloth or papertowel, but be sure to use a scraper or wire brush later to remove all rust or dirt and torque to specifications. Also, remember that rotating your tires will not correct wear problems caused by worn mechanical parts or incorrect inflation pressures. Wheel Alignment & Tire Balance Scheduled alignment and balancing are not needed, since your vehicle's wheels were aligned and balanced at the factory. But, if you notice unusual tire wear or that your vehicle 'pulls" one way or the other, the wheel alignment may need to be reset. If you notice your vehicle vibrating on a smooth road, your wheels may be out of balance. A tire that is out of balance often affects ride quality and can shorten the life of tires, bearings, shocks, and other suspension components. A speed-dependent vibration - becoming noticeable around 45 mph and increasing as speed increases - is probably balance related. Tire Alignment Alignment is critical for ensuring that you get maximum wear and performance from your tires. Poor alignment results from your car's suspension and steering system becoming out of alignment with each other. The biggest indicators of your vehicle being out of alignment are a "pulling" one way or the other as you drive or unusual tire wear. Improper tire inflation can also cause unusual tire wear. Your vehicle may have both front and rear wheel alignment specifications. Your GM Goodwrench dealer can recommend the alignment type that's right for your vehicle. Contact us today to schedule a Service Appointment! Return to Service Dept.
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