Ford Tire Center at McGraw Ford
Maintaining Your Tires
It is absolutely essential to maintain your Ford's tires, as they ensure that your car
runs
smoothly. Your tires help the vehicle place power on the ground with the grips making sure that your
Ford can hold firmly onto the road.
Working with a Ford service professional at McGraw Ford is key to tire maintenance,
as he or
she will be familiar with all of the tire options. A Ford service advisor can talk to you
about
your driving style and then work to suggest a tire based on that information and the Aransas Pass
weather.
After having your tires installed, you will still need to keep up with regular maintenance and care.
The life span of your tires can be drastically affected in many ways. Your driving style, tire
pressure,
wheel alignment, and routine tire rotations are some of the most common factors to consider as you
continue to
drive your Ford vehicle. Learn more from the information below on how you can limit the
amount of
treadwear that is caused by daily driving. If you are in need of a new set of tires, simply view our
tire store
and
schedule a service appointment!
Tire Balance
What is tire balancing?
Tire balancing equally distributes the weight of the tire and wheel assembly to spin
smoothly at high
speed.
Tires can become out of balance with normal tire wear. All four tires and wheels may be
balanced
during a tire rotation and when new tires are installed.
Special equipment spins the tire and wheel assembly to measure vibrations and the technician
installs
wheel weights as needed to eliminate the vibrations.
What if I ignore it?
- Excessive tire wear
- Irregular tire wear such as cupping
- Steering and suspension component wear
- Vibration
What if I take care of it?
- Maximize tire wear and ride quality
- Prolong tire life
- Minimize vibration
Tire Condition / Tread Depth
What is tire condition & tread depth?
Monitoring normal tread wear helps plan for future tire replacement. Uneven or irregular
tread wear
can indicate problems with tire pressure, wheel alignment, tire balance, or lack of
rotation. New
tire tread depths typically begin with 9/32" to 12/32" of tread. Make sure your tires' tread
depths
are sufficient for road and weather conditions.
What if I ignore it?
- Loss of braking effectiveness, steering control, and traction in wet weather
- Increased braking distances
- Increased risk of hydroplaning
-
Low tread depth restricts water, slush and snow from escaping between tire tread and the
road.
This can promote hydroplaning and reduce traction on wet and wintry roads.
- Minimum tread depth recommended for vehicles likely to encounter listed condition:
- Snow = 5/32"
- Rain = 4/32"
- Dry = 2/32"
- Tread depth under 2/32" may violate applicable law.
What if I take care of it?
- Increase safety performance
- Provide a more enjoyable ride
- Help ensure your vehicle meets its original load and speed rating specifications
-
Match the physical dimensions, internal construction, tread design, and tread compound
of the
original tires
- Help achieve performance characteristics originally intended for your vehicle
What are the benefits of Original Equipment (OE) Tires?
Original Equipment (OE) Tires:
-
Developed by Ford engineers who work closely with the original equipment tire
manufacturer to develop a tire that optimizes all the performance attributes of your
vehicle
-
Undergo an exclusive Ford development process with testing to ensure the same
level of
performance
-
Extensively tested in the lab, on the track, and on the road to ensure that the tires
provide the
right balance of performance, comfort, wear, and fuel efficiency
-
Help your vehicle attain the original performance characteristics to maintain the
enjoyment
you've had with your Ford since day one
- Are the only tires Ford recommends for your vehicle
Non OE Tire Options:
-
May share some characteristics of the original tires, but because of the number of
variable
design characteristics, they may perform differently, potentially altering the ride
comfort,
interior noise, wear rate, fuel efficiency, steering feel, snow traction, and wet and
dry
handling and braking performance you may be accustomed to
-
May be available from us at McGraw Ford, but can vary in certain specifications from
your
vehicle's original tires
-
Although we recommend that you help retain your vehicle's original performance
characteristics by
choosing OE specified tires, you may have other needs that could be met with another
tire that
was not tested by or developed in conjunction with Ford
Tire Pressure
What is tire pressure?
Properly inflated tires provide the best combination of handling, tread life, and comfort.
The air
pressure inside the tires supports the weight of the vehicle. Tire pressure is the inflation
pressure
specification, measured in Pounds per Square Inch (PSI), for a given tire type, size, and
application.
The cold tire inflation pressure, PSI, is on the Tire Information Label located on the
driver's side
door jamb.
Because tires can lose 1 to 2 PSI of tire pressure per month, tire pressures must be checked
regularly.
What if I ignore it?
-
Underinflation, or low tire pressure, can cause premature wear, irregular tread wear,
and
decreased fuel efficiency
- Underinflation adversely affects handling
- Underinflation may lead to tire failure
-
Overinflated tires make your vehicle ride harshly, are more prone to road hazards, and
wear
unevenly
What if I take care of it?
- Prolong tire life
- Increase fuel efficiency
- Improve ride characteristics, handling, and comfort
Tire Rotation
What is Tire Rotation?
During tire rotation, at the time of service, the tire and wheel assemblies are moved from
one
position to another to more evenly distribute wear and maximize tire life. The rotation
pattern
depends on the vehicle and tire design. Because the front tires turn and pull the vehicle
forward,
front tires wear differently than rear tires.
Tire rotation is regular maintenance that should be performed as recommended and is required
to
maintain the tire's warranty coverage. (Consult the tire manufacturer's warranty booklet
provided
with the vehicle for more details.)
What if I ignore it?
- Increased likelihood of irregular or uneven tire wear
- Increased tire wear and more frequent replacement
- Premature wear can increase road noise
What if I take care of it?
- Prolong tire life
- Help ensure your vehicle's optimal handling with more even tire wear
- Avoid road noise caused by premature or irregular wear
Wheel Alignment
What is wheel alignment?
A wheel alignment is the adjustment of angles that the tires make in relation to the road
surface and
each other. The primary alignment angles are camber, caster, and toe.
A wheel alignment is often performed after replacing tires or suspension components, after
an impact
with a pothole or curb, or when the following conditions occur: abnormal tire wear, an
offset
steering wheel, or handling concerns (drifting, pulling, wandering, darting).
Technicians measure alignment angles using sophisticated equipment, then adjust or possibly
replace
suspension components as needed to set alignment to original Ford specifications.
What if I ignore it?
- Increased or irregular tire wear and more frequent tire replacement
- Vehicle may drift, wander, pull, or dart
What if I take care of it?
- Prolong tire life
- Helps optimize your vehicle's handling based on original Ford specifications
- Reduces steering effort
How Often Should You Change your Car Tires?
Every time you drive, your tires undergo additional wear and tear. This means that you will have to
replace
them several times over the course of your Ford's lifespan. Never put off replacing your
tires, as
this can endanger your safety. Different tire types will last for varying amounts of time, and their
durability
also depends on your driving habits. As such, you need to regularly check them for wear.
You will know that you definitely have to change your tires if they begin to get worn down past 1/16
inch of
tread. You can easily test this yourself with any penny. Place it between the treads with Lincoln's head
down. If
you see the entire head, you need to get your tire replaced. Don't forget to monitor how your
Ford
reacts while driving. If you notice an unusual amount of vibration, you should have your tires looked at
by a
professional.
Why Get New Tires?
Whenever you have your Ford's tires replaced, you will notice a few great things. Your tread
will be
better able to grip the surface of the road, improving your safety. You also improve your vehicle's
efficiency
and performance since it no longer has to work as hard. In other words, changing your tires saves you
money over
time on fuel.
If you want to learn more about Ford tire maintenance or are due to replace your tires, head
to the
service center
at McGraw Ford in Aransas Pass.
McGraw Ford Tire Center – Serving Aransas Pass & Corpus Christi
Keep your vehicle performing at its best with professional tire services from McGraw Ford. Our
Tire Center in Aransas Pass provides maintenance, replacements, inspections, and top-brand tires for Ford
trucks, SUVs, and cars. Drivers from Corpus Christi, Portland, Rockport, and Ingleside rely on
our certified technicians for accurate diagnostics, proper fitment, and dependable service.
Tire Services We Offer
- Tire mounting, balancing, and rotations
- Flat repair and pressure inspections
- OEM-approved tire replacements and brand-name options
Whether your vehicle needs routine tire care or a complete replacement, McGraw Ford delivers trusted service
backed by genuine expertise.
Visit McGraw Ford for Tire Service
Schedule your next tire appointment online or contact our service team for assistance. We're proud to support Aransas Pass and nearby
Corpus Christi communities with reliable, high-quality tire care you can count on.
