Tire Checklist: Everything You Need to Know About Maintaining Your Tires in Florida

Without tires, your car wouldn’t make it very far — so it’s pretty important to keep your tires in their best condition. Between the tire pressure, tread, alignment, and the hot, humid climate, there are plenty of factors to keep in mind when it comes to maintaining your tires in Florida. Auto Repair Pros can help walk you through the list so you know what to watch out for.

Tire Type & Size

You can’t put just any tire on any car, and an ill-fitting tire won’t drive well for you. To find the best tires for your vehicle, check your owner’s manual. It should offer options for size and type that will fit. However, take into consideration the environment you will be driving in. Florida doesn’t exactly have a winter season, so winter tires aren’t necessary. All-season tires will certainly work, since they are meant to suit a whole variety of conditions. However, summer tires may be a better choice, since they are designed for high temperatures and to provide grip on wet surfaces — like during our daily rainstorms. You can also always ask your auto tech about heat-resistant tires

Tire Pressure

Tire pressure is the amount of air in your tires, and the force that air uses to push against the inside walls of your tires. You should check your tires — with a tire pressure gauge, not just the reading you get on your car’s screen, just to be safe — at least once a month, since auto tires can lose around one pound per square inch (PSI) each month. The best time to check your pressure is when they are cold — that is, before you drive. We know it doesn’t exactly get cold here.

When you add air to your tires, look at your owner’s manual or the sticker in the inside door jamb on the driver’s side door to find the recommended pressure. The tire will have a pressure number on the sidewall, but that is the maximum allowable pressure, not the recommended, so don’t use this for your reference. Both an underinflated and overinflated tire can be dangerous out on the road.

The climate in Florida can toy with your tire’s pressure. The general high heat expands the air in the tire, raising pressure. Then, when air cools for storms, pressure decreases. This can lead to over and underinflation in turn, causing reduced handling, uneven wear, and strain on the rubber.

Tire Tread

A tire’s tread is the part of the tire that actually touches the road when you drive, and the tread pattern is the design in the tread that gives your car tires the grip. Tire tread will inevitably wear down with time, leading to less grip, worse handling, and higher risk on the road. For example, it is far easier to hydroplane —  when there is a layer of water between the tire and the road, so there is little traction and minimal control — on tires with low tread depth. With the amount of rain we get here in Florida, the risk of hydroplaning is high, so you want to stay on top of your tread depth. There are a few ways to check if your tread was worn down too low: treadwear indicators, measuring, and the favorite: the penny test.

Tread Indicators

Many tires have built-in treadwear indicators — raised sections between the tread that don’t go as high as the tread itself. If the tread has worn down to the same level as the indicators, it is time to replace your tires.

Measure Tire Tread

If you want to be exact about your tire tread depth, you can legally drive on a tread depth as low as 3/32”. However, as soon as it drops lower to 2/32”, the tires must be replaced.

Penny Test

Many people use the penny test to check their auto tire tread depth. Take a penny, make sure the Abraham Lincoln side is facing you, then insert it into the tread with Lincoln upside down. If you can see his entire head, all the way to the top of his hair, then your tread is too shallow, and it is time to replace your tires.

Tire Age

Tires last between three to five years on average, barring poor maintenance or outside damage. If you take care of your tires, you may be able to trade out your tires every fifth or sixth year. However, even if your tires are well maintained, we advise against driving on tires six years old or older, as general wear and tear can put invisible strain on the rubber, especially in the Florida heat, making them dangerous.

Tire Rotation

Tire rotation keeps wear even instead of focused on just one or two of your tires. Tires should be rotated every 5,000-8,000 miles — find the preferred timeline in your owner’s manual — to extend their lifetime significantly. Most manufacturers recommend lining up your tire rotation with each oil change.

Tire Alignment

A wheel alignment isn’t just an adjustment to the tires, but also to the car’s suspension. It is usually done because the tires have become ‘unaligned’, or are now sitting at an odd angle — vertically tilting in or out, facing forward in or out, or tilted forward or back. This can cause your car to pull to one side, odd thumping sounds, vibration in the steering wheel, and uneven wear on your tires. If you notice these signs, take your car in to have the alignment checked. And even if you don’t, we recommend having your tires balanced and aligned every few years anyway, just to be safe.

Vehicle Load on Tires

Putting too much weight on your tires can cause the air in them to overheat, which ultimately can lead to tire pressure — especially if they are already hot from our Florida sun. Try to minimize carrying heavy loads if you can, and when you can’t, distribute the weight as evenly as you can to prevent overstraining any one tire. Also take into account that passengers count as part of the load as much as the stuff you’re hauling. If you’re not sure how much your car can carry, your owner’s manual should have weight specifications listed for you.

Tire Damage

Don’t just rely on the numbers and quick glances. Take the time — weekly, ideally — to inspect your wheels for damage. This gives you a chance to catch any problems early before they become dangerous. Florida’s heat and humidity can break down rubber faster than in more temperate climates, so it’s important to keep an eye out for cuts, cracks, and bulges in the tread and sidewalls. If you see threads or metal in or through the rubber, stop driving the car and replace your tire immediately, as these are signs of a tire that is beyond repair, and possibly heading towards a blowout.

As part of your inspection, you can take the time to clean your tires with a mild soap and water. Not only will this remove dirt — the salt and sand tires will pick up on Florida coasts can also stress the rubber — it can also show signs of leaks. The soapy water will bubble up where any air is escaping the tire and show you where you can patch.

Tire Care and Repair in Florida

Tires can require a lot of love to get us where we’re going, but you’re not alone in taking care of them. Auto Repair Pros are supporting Floridians, their cars, and their tires at all seven of our locations. Stop by with your auto wheel questions, to get tire maintenance, or for a tire inspection. We’re happy to handle them all.