Tires and wheels

Because many tire-leak repairs require taking the tire off the wheel, taking the car to a tire shop is often your best option. However, there are some simple things you can check and correct at home.

Although a typical interval is 5,000 to 10,000 miles, you may want to have tires rotated before it’s called for if you notice uneven tread wear that results in vibration or noise.

Each type of tire has strong points and weak ones, and none is probably ideal for every situation or time of year, so it pays to know their strengths and weaknesses.

A problem in the traction control system will usually illuminate a dashboard warning light that traction control is disabled, in some cases, ABS is disabled as well.

Proper tire pressure is much more crucial to your car than you may think, and it results in a safer and more economical experience on the road.

A vibration felt in your car while driving is almost always caused by something that’s rotating — most often the wheel-and-tire combination.

Electric vehicles tend to wear out tires more quickly compared to similar gasoline cars, and it can be worse on performance-oriented models that are fitted with softer tires for better grip.

Although original-equipment tires can last for 50,000 miles or more, how long any tire lasts is dependent not only on the tire itself, but on how that car is maintained.

Even though a wheel alignment isn’t a normal maintenance item, and there isn’t a set mileage or time interval for having it done, you should recognize the indications for when it might be needed for your vehicle.

Although the ideal way to check tire tread wear is with a tread-depth gauge, you can get by with what’s known as the “penny test” or just using your fingers.