How Do I Know If My Tires Are Safe to Drive On?
Stacey Diaz • July 3, 2025
How Do I Know If My Tires Are Safe to Drive On?
How Do I Know If My Tires Are Safe to Drive On? Tips from Wayside Garage in Seaside, CA for National Tire Safety Week
Tire safety is one of those things drivers don’t think about — until it’s too late.
But as a local shop owner with over 38 years under the hood, I can tell you: the health of your tires has a major impact on how your car handles, brakes, and keeps you safe out on the road.
That’s why we’re proud to support National Tire Safety Week 2025, happening June 30 to July 4
— an annual effort from the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association to educate drivers on proper tire maintenance. And right here at Wayside Garage in Seaside, CA, we’re doing our part to help folks check in before they check out for summer road trips.
🚗 So, How Do You Know If Your Tires Are Safe?
It really comes down to four key checks — easy to remember with the acronym P.A.R.T.:
🔹 P = Pressure
Low tire pressure leads to poor fuel economy, sluggish handling, and faster wear. We recommend checking pressure monthly, especially before long drives. Always check when your tires are “cold” — that means before you hit the road, not after a grocery run.
🔹 A = Alignment
If your car’s drifting left or right, or your steering feels off, your alignment may be out of whack. Misalignment causes uneven wear, hurts handling, and can shorten your tire life — not to mention your patience.
🔹 R = Rotation
You’d be surprised how fast tires can wear unevenly. We rotate tires every 5,000–7,500 miles to make sure all four tires wear evenly. This extends tire life and keeps your vehicle handling the way it should.
🔹 T = Tread
Tires need grip, especially in wet or winding road conditions. We recommend checking tread depth monthly. If your tire tread is worn down to 2/32 of an inch or less — or if you see visible cracking or bulges — it’s time to replace them.
💡 Quick Tip:
Stick a penny into your tread, Lincoln's head down. If you can see all of Honest Abe's noggin, your tread is too low.
🛠️ What We Offer at Wayside Garage, Seaside CA
We’ve been serving the Seaside community for nearly four decades, and tire safety is something we don’t take lightly. Our tire services include:
Tire pressure checks and adjustments
Computerized wheel alignments
Tire rotations and balancing
Tread inspections and honest tire replacement recommendations
Tire age checks —
rubber breaks down over time, even if your tread looks good. Most tires should be replaced every 6 years, regardless of wear.
Whether you're planning a road trip or just commuting to work, swing by Wayside Garage in Seaside for a tire check. No pressure (pun intended) — just experienced, straightforward service you can trust.
❓ FAQ: Tire Safety Questions We Hear All the Time
Q:
How do I know when my tires need to be replaced?
A: If your tread is worn past 2/32", your tires are over six years old, or you notice bulges or cracks — it’s time to replace them.
Q: How often should I rotate my tires?
A: Every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. We include this as part of routine maintenance at Wayside Garage.
Q: Can alignment affect tire wear that quickly?
A: Absolutely. One pothole or curb can knock alignment off. If your car pulls or your tires wear unevenly, it’s time for an alignment check.
Q: What tire pressure should I use?
A: Check your driver’s door sticker or owner’s manual — never use the number printed on the tire itself.
🏁 Drive Into Summer with Confidence
This National Tire Safety Week, don’t just guess your tires are safe — know they are. Bring your vehicle to Wayside Garage in Seaside, California
and let our experienced team give your tires a full safety check.
You’ll leave knowing your pressure’s perfect, your alignment’s dialed in, and your tread is road-trip ready.
Stop by or schedule your service today — we’re here to keep you rolling, safely.
These days, keeping your car longer just makes sense. New vehicle prices, rising interest rates, higher registration fees, and insurance costs have more folks than ever asking: 👉 “ How do I make my car last longer?” At Wayside Garage, we specialize in helping our clients get the most life out of their vehicles with affordable, preventative maintenance — and we’ve been doing it for generations. Why Car Maintenance Is Smarter Than Buying New The cost to maintain your current car is dramatically lower than replacing it. Here’s a quick comparison: Maintaining your vehicle: About $0.25–$0.30 per mile Buying new or newer: Anywhere from $0.80 to $1.20 per mile That’s a huge difference. We even have a cost-to-own video that breaks this down in more detail — just ask and we’ll send it to you! Tips to Make Your Car Last Longer Want to protect your vehicle (and your wallet)? Here’s how: 🔧 Stick to a Maintenance Schedule We recommend servicing your vehicle at least twice a year — ideally every four months. At Wayside Garage, we make it easy by pre-scheduling priority reservations for our customers. Here’s what to keep up with: Oil & filter changes Fluid checks & top-offs Battery & charging system tests (especially before colder weather) Brake inspections at least once a year Belts, hoses & filter checks annually 🚨 Don’t Ignore Warning Signs If you hear a strange noise or see a warning light, don’t wait. Catching small issues early can save you thousands and avoid roadside breakdowns. 🛞 Rotate & Align Tires A yearly wheel alignment protects your suspension, brakes, and tires — and improves fuel economy too. Real Customer Example: 300,000+ Miles Strong One of our long-time customers drives a Volkswagen we’ve maintained since it was nearly new. He just passed 300,000 miles — and it’s still going strong. Recently, we caught his wheel bearings needing replacement before they failed. The repair cost him around $800–$1,000 — less than one month’s payment on a new car. That fix will last him years, and he avoided a breakdown entirely. Be Proactive, Not Reactive That’s our best advice in one word: Proactive. Plan ahead. Know what’s coming. Spread out services to avoid big surprises. And treat your car like your body — the more care you give it, the longer it’ll serve you well. Need Help Keeping Your Car Running? At Wayside Garage in Seaside, CA , we’ve got your back. Our certified technicians follow a proven maintenance plan based on nearly 40 years of experience to keep your car safe, efficient, and long-lasting. 📞 Call us today at (831) 899-2425 or stop by to schedule your next service.
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