SHOP for TIRES
Mavis Information on Tire Care
Mavis Recommendations for Preserving Tire Life
At Mavis Tires & Brakes, we know how important tires are to the safety of all drivers. That's why we have assembled this guide to assist in the proper care and maintenance of your tires.
Take the time to study this guide and learn how to best prepare yourself for the road. With just a little of your time, you can help add to the life of your tires.
Here is some critical information from Mavis on:
Mavis guidelines on proper inflation
Maintaining proper air pressure is the single most important thing a driver can do for their tires. In the space of just one month, a tire can lose 10 pounds of air pressure.
It is important to check air pressure regularly, to make sure your tires are neither under- nor over-inflated. Under-inflation is the worst enemy a tire can have. It causes increased treadwear on the outside edges (or shoulders) of the tire. It also generates excessive heat, which reduces tire durability. Finally, it reduces fuel economy by increasing rolling resistance - soft tires make vehicles work harder.
Over-inflation is also detrimental to the tire. Too much air pressure causes the center of the tread to bear the majority of the car's weight, which leads to faster deterioration and uneven wear. Any kind of uneven wear will shorten the lifespan of tires.
To find the proper air pressure for tires, look in the vehicle owner's manual, on the driver's side door jamb or in the glove box. Check your tire air pressure at least once a month, and use a good quality air gauge. Or, stop by one of our locations and have the air pressure checked and corrected for free.
Balancing and alignment advice
Having your tires balanced and properly aligned is important not only to the longevity of the tire, but to the safety of the driver and to the performance of the vehicle.
Unbalanced tires cause road vibration, which leads to driver fatigue, premature tire wear (also known as cupping or dipping) and unnecessary wear to vehicle's suspension. Tires should be balanced when they are mounted on wheels for the first time or when they are remounted after repair. They should be balanced at first sign of shimmy or vibration, and should be balanced at least once a year, regardless.
A vehicle is said to be properly aligned when all suspension and steering components are sound and when tire and wheel assemblies are running straight and true. Proper alignment is necessary for even treadwear and precise steering. Uneven front or rear tire wear, or changes in a vehicle's handling or steering, can indicate misalignment.
The cost of keeping your tires balanced and your vehicle properly aligned will more than pay for itself in tire mileage performance and comfort. Mavis makes these services affordable for you. Visit your local Mavis store to keep your tires performing properly.
Rotation guidelines
The weight of a vehicle is not evenly distributed to all four tires. Therefore, Mavis encourages regular rotation to maintain even treadwear and get the most out of your tires.
There are several methods of rotation. For all-season tires and most vehicles on the road, tires from the rear axle are moved to the drive axle and crossed to the opposite side of the vehicle. The tires from the drive axle are moved to the rear, but remain on the same sides. This is known as the modified "x" pattern.
Tires with directional design are rotated differently. In this case, all tires remain on the same side of the vehicle and are rotated straight forward and straight back.
For four-wheel-drive vehicles, Mavis recommends switching all four tires, both from side-to-side and in axle position.
Please check your owner's manual for the manufacturer's rotation recommendations. If no rotation period is specified, tires should be rotated every 6,000-8,000 miles. Four-wheel-drive vehicles may require rotation as soon as every 4,000 miles. The first rotation is the most important. Also remember to adjust inflation pressures to the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations after every rotation.
Visit Mavis for an alignment, tire balancing or rotation
When it's time to take care of your tires, it's time to go to Mavis Tires & Brakes. Make a reservation at one of more than 140 convenient Mavis locations throughout New York State; and even in Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts.
Want to be sure your tires are properly inflated? Just stop by and Mavis will be happy to take care of that for you at no charge.
Any questions? Ask Mavis!
Mavis Tires & Brakes invites you to submit any tire-related question to us. A tire expert will answer your question as soon as possible.