Maintaining your Ford tires is one of the most important aspects of vehicle care, directly impacting your safety and the longevity of your tires. At Mike White Ford in North Idaho, tire maintenance is always a priority because the weather can be unpredictable, and many roads are gravel or dirt. For many of our customers who are off-road enthusiasts, their tires will experience extra wear and tear.
Because having tires in good condition is critical to your safety, here are some critical tire maintenance tasks and why they matter, plus some special considerations for driving in North Idaho’s unique conditions that can help you stay safe year-round.
1. Regularly Check Tire Pressure
One of the most basic yet vital tire maintenance tasks is regularly checking your tire pressure. You can do this at nearly any gas station or at home with a tire pressure gauge from Ford or your local auto parts store. Many vehicles also have built-in tire pressure sensors, but most mechanics recommend that you manually check tire pressure with a reliable gauge rather than rely solely on the sensors.
Tires with incorrect pressure can lead to uneven wear, reduced fuel efficiency, and even tire failure. For example, underinflated tires can cause the sidewalls to flex excessively, leading to overheating and potentially a blowout. On the other hand, overinflated tires can result in a harsh ride and uneven wear, particularly in the center of the tread.
In North Idaho, where temperatures can fluctuate significantly between seasons and where you may experience a 40-degree temperature swing in one day in some seasons, checking tire pressure is even more important. Cold weather causes tire pressure to drop, which could lead to underinflation during the winter months. We recommend that you check the tire pressure on each of your cars at least once a month and before a long trip. You can find the correct tire pressure for your Ford on the sticker inside the driver’s door, by researching online, or in your vehicle owner’s manual.
If you go off-roading, you will adjust your tire pressure frequently depending on the terrain, so monitoring your tire pressure is even more critical.
2. Rotate Your Tires Regularly
Tire rotation is another key component of tire maintenance. Tire rotation simply means moving your tires to different positions on the vehicle. This ensures even wear on the tires. In general, front tires tend to wear down more quickly than rear tires due to the extra stress of steering and carrying the engine’s weight, especially in front-wheel-drive vehicles.
Regular tire rotation is particularly vital for drivers frequently navigating gravel or dirt roads. These surfaces can cause uneven wear due to the extra grip and traction required. Rotate your tires every 5,000 to 7,500 miles, or as recommended in your Ford’s owner’s manual. Keeping to this schedule is easy if you arrange to have your tires rotated when you have your oil changed. Rotating your tires will help prolong their life and improve how your vehicle handles.
3. Balance and Align Your Tires
Balancing and aligning your tires are essential for ensuring a smooth ride and, again, preventing premature wear on your tires. Tire balancing refers to the weight distribution around the tire and wheel assembly, and unbalanced tires can cause vibrations if not correctly managed. Aligning your tires ensures they are set to the correct angles according to your vehicle’s specifications, which is crucial for proper handling and tire wear.
North Idaho’s terrain, with its mix of gravel roads, dirt roads, and occasional potholes, can easily throw your tires out of alignment. Tires can also get misaligned from hitting a curb or rock. Misaligned tires can lead to uneven wear on the tread, your car pulling to one side, and decreased fuel efficiency. If you notice your Ford pulling to one side or your steering wheel vibrating, it may be time to have your tires balanced and aligned.
4. Inspect Your Tread Depth
Tread depth is critical for maintaining traction, especially in adverse weather conditions. When your tires have low tread depth, you are more likely to hydroplane on wet roads and you will have less traction on snowy or icy surfaces during North Idaho winters. The standard recommendation is to replace tires when the tread depth reaches 2/32 of an inch, but for driving in winter conditions, replacing them at 4/32 of an inch is safer.
Tread depth can easily be checked with the penny test—insert a new penny between the tread grooves with Lincoln’s head upside down. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, you know it’s time to replace your tires!
5. Consider Seasonal Tires
Switching to snow tires during the colder months is well worth considering for North Idaho’s winter weather. Even an all-season tire won’t give you the control that good snow tires can provide. Snow tires are specially designed to provide better traction in snow, ice, and cold temperatures, which can significantly affect your vehicle’s safety and performance. Using a set of winter tires you can switch out for your regular tires when spring arrives will provide peace of mind when driving with your family throughout the region’s long winters.
If you frequently travel on gravel or dirt roads, consider using special all-terrain or mud-terrain tires, which offer improved durability and traction on rough surfaces.
Visit Mike White Ford for Tire Maintenance
Proper tire maintenance is essential for safe driving and maximizing the lifespan of your tires, especially in the varied road conditions of North Idaho. If you need any tire service, including installing new tires, tire rotation, balancing, or alignment services, the experts at Mike White Ford are here to help. Set up an appointment today for professional tire maintenance that keeps your Ford running smoothly, no matter where the road takes you.