Angie’s List: Tire maintenance tips

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Keeping the tires on your car in good shape will not only save you a lot of hassle, but money as well.

Compared to 10 to 15 years ago, today’s tires are much different.

“Today's tires are a lot narrower profile. They're a lot shorter. Where you only have an inch to an inch and a half, two inch sidewall,” said Jeff Hopkins of Hopkins Automotive.

According to Hopkins, drivers may think their tires are low, when they're not. And today's tires are more vulnerable to one well known road hazard.

"Most passenger cars 10, 15 years ago had a sidewall of about six inches and they could take a pretty good chuckhole. Today, they won't," said Jeff Hopkins of Hopkins Automotive.

Although tire maintenance won't save them from nasty potholes, Angie Hicks of Angie's List said it can save a lot of money.

"Obviously "A," the car is dependent on them, but also it can really help on your gas mileage. Many people ignore proper tire inflation, but what they don't realize is running on low tires really cuts down on their gas mileage, which cuts into their pocketbook," said Hicks.

Hopkins said it’s important to check the inflation level of your tires about once a month.

"Tire pressure critical. Rule of thumb 35 lbs in a passenger tire, which will increase mileage and make them last a lot longer," said Hopkins.

And he said check the tread whenever you change the oil.

"You'll have a wear bar that's actually in the tread of the tire. There will probably be six to eight of them, around the circumference of the tire that goes across. When that wear bar meets the tread, you're tire is due to be replaced," said Hopkins.

Hopkins said drivers should rotate their tires every 8,000 to 12,000 miles as directed by the manufacturer. He also said it's a good idea to check the quality of the tires you're considering buying. Price is not always the best indicator of a good value.