Tire Tips for Summer Trips

From long-distance driving to our vacation destination to multiple weekend road trips, we ask a lot of our auto’s tires during the summer months. Also, that southern summer heat can cause your tires to wear out even faster. Healthy tires are vital to your driving safety — for both short and long trips. Make sure they’re vacation ready by checking these areas:

Tread: Look for worn edges or bald spots. Heavily worn tread can lead to unsafe driving conditions, especially in wet weather. To test your tread depth, you can buy an inexpensive tire depth gauge or do the penny test (see below).

Tire pressure: Before you drive, when your car is “cold,” insert your tire gauge into the valve stem on your tire. You can purchase one at your local NAPA Auto Parts store (AAA Members save 10 percent). Compare the measured psi reading on the tire sticker on the inside of your car’s door. If there’s no sticker, you can also find this information in your owner’s manual. If your tires are overinflated, let air out until the number matches. If your tires need air, fill them until it reaches the proper psi.

Rotate tires: Regular tire rotations help ensure your tires will wear evenly and last longer. We recommend tire rotation every 6,000 to 8,000 miles.

Align tires: Misaligned wheels can cause tires to wear unevenly, which can lead to less control on the road. AAA Car Care offers FREE wheel alignment checks to ensure your vehicle is properly aligned.

Need to get your tires checked or need new ones before your trip? Stop by your local AAA Car Care Center and our trained professionals will analyze the health of your tires with our AAA Digital Vehicle Insight. If you need new tires, we can help you pick the best tires for your ride — choose from Michelin, BF Goodrich, Uniroyal and more.

          — Dusty Holcomb, President of AAA Car Care

Schedule your FREE AAA Digital Vehicle Insight today! Reserve your appointment online at or call 833-668-5390.