Maintaining proper air pressure is the one of the most important things motorists can do for their tires. In the space of just one month, a tire can lose 10 pounds (psi) of air pressure.

Tire pressures should only be checked when they are cold. Your vehicle’s recommended tire pressures are located on a placard usually on the inside edge of the driver’s door.

Overinflated tires . . .

When a tire is over inflated, the centre of the tread bears most of the load and wears out faster than the outside edges. Uneven wear reduces the useful life of a tire

• Are damaged more easily by potholes
• Lead to irregular tread wear.
• Increase internal noise levels.

Always check the specs of your car for the exact size. You can usually find the information you need in the manual that comes from the manufacturer. Also you can refer to the sidewall of one of your current tires.

You’ll see three numbers following “P” indicate the tire’s width in millimeters. Next, you’ll see a slash, after which, you’ll see two more numbers that tell you the percentage of the tire’s height compared to its width. The next letter, “R,” identifies the radial construction. The two numbers after it represent the diameter of the rim in inches.

Two tires can look the same, but they may have different load-carrying capacities. Again, check your car’s specs to determine the maximum weight your tires should carry. The manual and the decal have that information.

Take note that tires should not just support the car, but the passengers and cargo inside it. Thus, it’s not advisable to go for a new set of tires with a lower index than what your car is used to. It’s best to stick to the load index of your current tires.

You can look through the load rating sheet attached to check the exact maximum weight that corresponds to your tire’s numbers

Load Rating.

Ultimately, your tires affect your car’s performance. It’s best to think about how you use your car when buying a new set of tires.

On snowy streets, equip your car with specialized snow tires.

If you drive fast, choose tires with a high-speed rating. You can determine the rating by looking at the letter beside the load index in the alphanumeric code. The range is A to Z, with A being the lowest and Z the highest.

Having your tires balanced is important not only to the longevity of the tire, but to the safety of the driver and to the performance of the car.

Unbalanced tires cause road vibration, which leads to driver fatigue, premature tire wear and unnecessary wear to your vehicle’s suspension. Tires should be balanced when they are mounted on wheels for the first time or when they are remounted after a repair. They should be rebalanced at the first sign of a vibration or shimmy, and should be balanced at least once a year.

Wheel alignment is the science of precisely measuring and then positioning the wheels on your car by adjusting their angles so that they are perpendicular to the ground and parallel to each other. A proper wheel alignment will significantly extend the life of your tires  When correctly set it will significantly extend the life of your tires, ensure a straight track of your vehicle, better handling, safer ride, and greater fuel economy.

Wheel alignments and rotations maximize the life of your tires by ensuring your tires wear evenly

Your tires should be rotated every other oil change or every 10000KM. Neglecting to rotate tires is a major cause of premature tire wear

The weight of a vehicle is not evenly distributed to all four car tires. Therefore, regular rotation is necessary to maintain even tread wear 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 opposite sides of the vehicle. The tires from the front 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 4WD vehicles, it is recommended to switch all four tires, both from side-to-side and in axle position.
Check your owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s rotation recommendations. If no rotation period is specified, tires should be adjusted every 10,000 km’s. 4WD tires may require rotation as soon as every 4,000 km’s. The first rotation of your tires is the most important.

Although the minimum amount of tread required for a car to be roadworthy is 1.6 mm, it’s wise to replace tires at 2 mm, as wet-weather grip is diminished when there is only a small amount of tread.

Match the same tire treads on the same axle.

Different brands grip differently which can cause handling problems if mismatched.

To check tread depth, put a match head into the tread grooves, and if any part of the head shows above the grooves it’s time to replace the tire.

Battery care and maintenance

Read more about our full range of car batteries.

Your vehicle’s battery primarily helps to start the engine. However, it also stores energy generated by the alternator, and runs the secondary electrical systems or additional components in your vehicle. To help you take care of your battery, and its longevity it would be recommended to do the following:

• Remove rust,
• Cleaning both negative and positive terminals
• Check the alternator belt tension and wear
• Control the acid’s level
• Make sure you install the correct size to your vehicle

Some Indications There is a Problem with Your Battery:

• Your vehicle won’t start.
• The vehicle is silent when you turn the key in the ignition.
• Your vehicle makes a clicking noise, but won’t start.
• The battery keeps running down.
• The battery seems weak and fails to crank your engine normally.

These are common indications that you may need a new battery or battery connections. If you experience any of these problems, schedule an appointment with your local Beaurepaires dealer