Importance of Tire Care

Bob Ridings Westown Ford Lincoln Provides an in-Depth Look at the Importance of Your Tires

With your Ford vehicle or any vehicle for that matter, you might never know the importance of your tires until you start losing traction where you haven't before, or your acceleration is affected by the tread. At our dealership, we know that many drivers rely on their vehicles every day and without tires, you won't be able to do much. We're going to show you the benefits of your tires and what you can do to ensure that they are in the best shape they can be.

When Should You Change Your Tires?

Many times, you can determine the wear and tear of your tires by simply taking a glance at their condition. The manufacturers include wear bars that are in the middle of the tire tread that runs perpendicular to the tread. These bars are don't become visible when they are brand new but as you utilize your vehicle more often, they become easier to see. Once they are level to the tread, you should consider buying new tires.

A popular method is to use a penny to test the depth of your tread. You can insert it, head first, into the tread groove on the tire and if the head is covered up, your tires are in good shape. It any part of the head is visible, then you should find new tires because your current ones a bit too worn.

With tires expected to be changed every 50,000 to 60,000 miles, you can go about this in a few different ways. We love to recommend the skilled technicians that are employed in our service center because they are extremely capable of swift and efficient work. They also use top of the line diagnostic and repair equipment, so you don't have to worry about the quality of work they provide.

If you're a do-it-yourself kind of person that loves getting their hands dirty, you're perfectly able to handle replacing your own tires! By following these steps, you can easily handle the replacement on your time.

• Find a Flat, Stable and Safe Place to Start the Replacement
• Make Sure Your Parking Brake is Applied, and Your Vehicle is in Park
• Place a Heavy Object, such as a Brick or Large Rock, in Front of Your Tires
• Prepare Your Replacement Tires and Your Jack. Ensure Your Jack is Under the Frame and Contacting the Metal Portion of Your Vehicle's Frame
• Raise the Jack Until it is Supporting but Not Lifting the Car
• Remove the Hubcap and Loosen the Nuts in a Counterclockwise Motion
• Pump or Crank Your Jack to Lift the Tire off the Ground- Lift it Just High Enough to Remove the Tire and Replace It
• Remove the Nuts All the Way
• Remove the Tire and Then Place the New Tire on the Hub
• Replace the Nuts and Tighten them by Hand Until They are Fitting Snugly
• Lower the Car to the Ground Fully, Finish Tightening the Nuts, Remove the Jack and Replace the Hubcap
• Repeat the Process for All Four Tires

You'll want to make sure you perform this repair in a sheltered location and that you have ample time to finish it. You don't want to leave anything unfinished because it can cause serious issues down the road if done improperly.

Here at Bob Ridings Westown Ford We're Happy to Help!

You should always seek professional help if you aren't comfortable performing the repair on your own. Ensure you have assistance if you need it, but we are more than happy to complete the work for you. Contact Bob Ridings Westown Ford Lincoln, near Jacksonville, and we'll schedule you a time to put new tires on. Tires are important and 100 percent necessary to your car running smoothly for a long time. Don't wait to replace them!