Honda Tires

How to Know You Need New Tires

The worst way to discover you need new tires is when one of them comes apart or explodes while you are on the freeway. Whatever you do, do not learn this lesson the hard way. Fortunately, there are several simple ways you can check to see what sort of condition your tires are in and some things to keep in mind as you drive. First and foremost, simply look at your tires frequently to see what kind of shape they are in. You can glance at them to check that they have enough air in them every time you approach your vehicle.

More thorough inspections are simple enough and should be performed about once a month or before any big road trip. Look at your tires and check to see that they are not overly worn or damaged in any way. Check for large cracks in the tread of the tires––not the sipes and grooves that they should have, but any other damage that might have occurred. Damaged tires need to be replaced promptly to ensure your vehicle runs well and that you are safe on the road.

You can also perform the “penny test” to see if the tread is still good or if it has worn down to the point where they need to be replaced. Simply insert a penny with Abe’s head pointed down into the groove of a tire; if you can see the top of the President’s head, then the tread is worn and it is time to replace your tires. Here in the Rochester area, it is also a good idea to change your tires before the rough winter weather, using snow or winter tires to ensure the best traction possible when things get slippery.

The Proper Type of Tires for You

It can be easy to assume one tire is as good as the next, but in reality, there are many different types of tires designed for different road conditions and driving situations. Having the right tires on your vehicle is vital to ensuring you remain in control behind the wheel. Here is a quick look at some of the most common types of tires:

• All-Season: Just what they sound like, all-season tires are generally good for use in different types of weather but not especially good in any one season. These are ideal for moderate climates that do not get intense heat or cold.
• Winter: Rubber becomes hard and brittle in cold temperatures, so tires do not grip the road as well in the cold. Winter tires are made from rubber that stays pliable even in extreme cold, with deep grooves that are perfect for slush and snow.
• Summer: Summer tires are designed for use in warm weather and tend to provide better overall performance than all-season tires when it is warm. They work well in dry conditions and wet since summer rain is pretty common, but they are terrible for driving when the weather is cold.
• All-Terrain: These are tires designed for going off-road or driving in rough terrain. You will also find some specialized versions of these, like mud tires or ones for climbing over rocks, but they are generally meant for hitting the trail.
• Performance: All tires are rated to be able to handle certain speeds before being damaged. Performance tires are designed to handle high speeds and provide you with excellent traction and handling at those speeds, though they are not ideal for daily driving in bad weather or in all climates.

There are also other types, like spare tires and tires for trailers, but you are not going to typically have those on your Honda. Choosing the right tire and changing them as needed, like switching to winter tires just before Thanksgiving, can make a huge difference in your driving experience. Similarly, it is important that you have your tires and wheels regularly serviced to ensure they are in great shape and make your drive as easy as possible.

Other Tire Services: Rotations, Alignment, and More

Replacing your tires is only one important thing to keep in mind while ensuring you remain in control of your vehicle at all times. There are also other sorts of services that you should get between tire changes, based on your maintenance schedule, to keep things running smoothly. These include:

• Tire Rotation: A tire rotation is what it sounds like––the tires on your vehicle are not replaced, but their location is changed. This is done in a specific way to help even out the wear and tear on them and improve their longevity.
• Tire Alignment: The alignment of your vehicle refers to how well it will drive straight on a smooth road with little or no direction from you. If your suspension gets out of whack at all, then you will find yourself fighting your vehicle or having to keep the steering wheel turned slightly to drive in a straight line. A tire alignment will fix this for you and make driving a lot easier.
• Tire Balancing: Tire balancing refers to how evenly your tires ride together along the road, and it can be impacted by wear and tear on them, hitting potholes, and other factors. If your vehicle feels off or rough while driving, then tire balancing might be needed to help smooth things out and make for a more comfortable ride.

All of these types of services are important, and when we work on your vehicle, it is easy to combine multiple things into one trip. For example, if we have your Honda lifted up to change your oil, then we can check your brakes, rotate your tires if it is time, and adjust your alignment if needed. This means you only have to make one stop, and then you get to enjoy your car driving at its best.

We Will Help Keep You Safe