How to Inspect for Tire Defects in a Ford Focus

Driving a Ford Focus safely includes regular maintenance. While completing routine maintenance tasks, check your tires carefully for defects. Experts recommend that you do this at least once a month. While most Ford Focus tires are reliable, road debris and extensive driving time can contribute to wearing. Irregular wear, air leakage and weak belts could all contribute toward unsafe vehicle maneuvering.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Inspect the tires to make sure they are all the same size. This is especially important if you purchased a used vehicle since previous owners might have changed the tires. Even slightly different sizes cause stress on the drive system, causing the tire to slip, shake and wear unevenly.

2. Examine the sidewall for bubbles because hitting a pothole too hard might cause tire damage. Go to a site like DragTimes.com to find the proper tire size for your Ford Focus year and model. Tire sizes range from the P185/60R15 to the P205/50R16. Replace your old tire with another tire suited for your model.

3. Check for cuts or cracking in your sidewall. If you find any, put on a spare tire and drive to a dealer because this could be dangerous when on the road.

4. Look at the wear indicators running across the tread between the tread ribs. If the indicators line up with the ribs, you need to replace your tire.

5. Analyze the depth of your tread grooves by inserting a Lincoln head penny into the grooves with the head upside down and facing toward you. Replace the tire if you can see the top of Lincoln's head.

6. Judge the traction of Ford Focus vehicle as you drive. If you feel that the traction is not optimal, examine the tires for alignment.

Resources

• Drag Times.

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