A good relationship between your tires and the other mechanical parts of your ride (like your wheels, brakes, shock absorbers, steering and suspension system) is vital. To make sure you have a safe, comfortable ride and good gas mileage, you must take care of your tires.

Sport Compacts and Tire Size

To make sure your tires are safe, buy new tires that are the same size as your ride’s original tires or another size recommended by the car maker. Look at the tire information placard, the owner’s manual, or the sidewall of the tire you are replacing to find this information. If you have any doubt about the right size to choose, talk to the tire dealer.

Sport Compacts and Tire Tread

The tire tread provides the gripping action and traction that keep your sport compact from slipping or sliding, especially on wet or icy roads. Tires are generally not safe and should be replaced when the tread is worn down to 1/16 of an inch. Tires have built-in treadwear indicators that let you know when it is time to replace them. These indicators are raised sections spaced intermittently in the bottom of the tread grooves. When they appear ‘even’ with the outside of the tread, it is time to replace your tires.

Another quick way to check the depth of your tread is to put a penny in the tread with Abe Lincoln’s head upside down and facing you. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, it’s time for new tires for your sport compact.

Tags: brakes, shock absorbers, steering system, suspension system, tire maintenance, tire size, tire tread, wheels
Filed under: Cars