How much air should I put in my tires?

Most passenger cars call for 32–36 PSI cold—check your door jamb placard or owner’s manual for the exact spec.

When do I need to replace my tires?

Replace at 3/32″ tread depth or six years from the DOT date code on the sidewall, whichever comes first.

What is wheel alignment and why is it important?

Alignment adjusts suspension angles so tires meet the road correctly, preventing uneven wear and steering issues.

TOP THREE Tire QUESTIONS EVERYONE ASKS - ANSWERED BY YOUR FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD TIRE TECH.

Osly Gonzalez
Jun 26
2 min read

Updated: Jul 24

When people roll into Libert Tires, they always ask these three questions again and again. I’ve spent thousands of service hours helping drivers keep their vehicles safe and efficient, so I'll give it to you straight.

1. “How Much Air Do My Tires Really Need?”

Every tire has a “sweet spot”—Forget guessing; check the placard on your driver-door jamb (use image above as a guide) or the owner’s manual. Most passenger cars call for 32–36 PSI. Running even -8 PSI under that number increases wear on the outer shoulders, hurts your fuel economy, and raises heat buildup—accelerating tread degradation. On the other hand, overinflating by +5 PSI shrinks your contact patch, reduces traction, and you will feel a harsher ride. My recommendation: Avoid Gas Stations since they are infamously known for messing with valve cores. Instead go to you nearby tire shop biweekly to have your tires filled accurately.

2. “When Do My Tires Need to Be Replaced?”

the difference between an Aged Tire, New Tire And Worn Tire

There’s no magic odometer milage number, but you can’t escape physics: Rubber hardens with age and wears with mileage. Two main things that matter most:

Tread Depth: The legal minimum in California is 2/32″, but I advise swapping by 3/32″. Anything below that loses wet-traction.
Age: Even if your tread looks substantial, factory-compound rubber oxidizes over time. All tires have a 5 Year lifespan replace tires once they hit 5 years from the DOT date code stamped on the sidewall—so check the last four digits = (week and year of manufacture).

If you average 12,000 miles per year, that works out to about 60,000–75,000 miles on quality all-season tires. Performance and winter tires typically wear faster.

3."What Is Wheel Alignment—and Do I REALLY Need It?”

Alignments aren't mysterious extra services—it’s simply adjusting suspension angles (camber, toe, caster) so your tires meet the road exactly as intended. Signs your alignment is off and

in need of adjusting:

Your car will pull to one side.
Tire edges wear unevenly.
Steering feels loose or vibrates.

We get it its LA the home of potholes and avoiding all of them is impossible. Fortunately for you Liberty Tires has a First Come First Serve type of conduct, but you can always call ahead at (310)202-8624 to Schedule an alignment check right away. Otherwise, once-a-year inspections keep your steering centered, your tires wearing evenly, and your fuel economy optimized.

Tire pressure, tread health, and alignment are the “big three” that determine safety, performance, and cost of ownership. Nail these basics, and you’ll extend tire life, improve handling, and avoid roadside emergencies. Drop by for a Complimentary Tire Pressure check, tread inspection, or alignment scan—we’ll give you an honest assessment and clear recommendations.