To use our cars safely, the four tires must be in good shape. Also, a good tire improves driving, increases gas economy, saves money, and may save you from being stranded. However, despite their crucial importance, tires are often one of the most overlooked components of a car. So, in this post, we will explore some essential tips to help you keep your tires in good shape for a safe trip.
Ready? Let’s go!
1. Check Your Tire Pressure Monthly
Most car users often forget to check the air pressure in their car tires. Every car owner should always check the tire pressure once a month or after a lengthy vacation. If you are about to embark on a long trip, ensure you check the tire pressure on your vehicle before getting behind the wheel. Maintaining the proper tire pressure will help you to save money by extending the lifespan of the tire and enhancing the overall performance of your car.
Tires lose pressure at a rate of around one pound per square inch of air (PSI) every month. In cold temperatures, a tire’s tread may wear down much faster. As a result, it is not ideal to rely solely on the technician to monitor tire pressure during oil changes or tire rotations.
Whenever you go to the hardware shop, pick up a high-quality tire gauge. This will allow you to monitor your tire pressure on a frequent and precise basis.
2. Inspect Tires Regularly, Especially Before Long Road Trips
Whenever you wash your automobile, you should inspect your tires personally. When doing the examination, do not be hesitant to go down on your hands and knees. Look for signs of possible damage, such as bulges or fractures, as well as potential punctures from things such as nails, screws, glass, or stones. If any of these things puncture the sidewall of your tire, you will need to replace it.
If you want to drive a long distance, you should do these assessments before leaving your house. Checking your tires in the safety of your driveway or garage is significantly more convenient than doing it while driving on the side of the road at 65 miles per hour or more. If your tire blows out while you’re driving, contact a local tire specialist who can assist you in changing or replacing your tire.
3. Have Alignment Checked
If you want your tires to be durable, get them aligned. A vehicle alignment is necessary after hitting a large curb or other road hazard, getting new tires, finishing suspension repair, observing unusual tire wear, or noticing increasing tire wear.
There is a method for distinguishing between various alignments. Discuss your vehicle’s requirements with your technician to know the most suitable alignment for your car.
4. Balance Your Tires
It is critical to keep your tires and wheels balanced. This is an important next step. Your tires and wheels will be installed on a machine that detects weight distribution and then installs lead weights on the rim to verify that they are equally distributed. This may enhance the ride quality of your tires while also minimizing vibration.
5. Rotate Your Tires
Another thing you should do to keep your tires in good shape is to rotate them regularly. The sweet spot for tire rotation recommendations is between 5,000 and 8,000 kilometers. Replace your oil and rotate your tires at the same time. This allows you to accomplish two goals at once, and they will both be scheduled at the same time. You may improve your agility and control by rotating your tires to ensure equal wear on the tires.
6. Examine the Tire Tread
To keep your car tires in good shape, always inspect the tread on your tires. The tread depth has a significant impact on how quickly your car will stop. According to research, low-tread tires may need more than 250 feet of rain to stop. A tire with a lot of tread will be able to stop in less than 200 feet under the same circumstances.
To ensure that your tires work properly in all-weather situations, we suggest that they have a tread depth of 4/32 inch or more. You can acquire a tread gauge, which is necessary for measuring tires. Keep in mind that the bigger tread on the rear tires you’re using should be maintained as well. A deeper tread will give a better grip on the pavement, enabling the brake system to function excellently. Avoid driving to over long distances with your car to avoid depleting the tire tread. You can always opt for a flatbed towing service if you need to move your car from one part of the city to a far away distance.
7. Keep Your Vehicle’s Load Weight in Check
Driving with excessive load can damage your tires and significantly affect the handling of your vehicle. To guard against this, you should know the maximum load that your vehicle can safely transport and adhere to that weight limit.
Most automobiles have a sticker on the driver’s side that becomes apparent as soon as the door is opened; this sticker contains the car’s load weight. Also, you can read your owner’s handbook for exact instructions on the car’s weight limit.
8. Drive with Tires in Mind
The manner in which you drive also determines the durability of your car tires. Speeding causes the tires to heat up, increasing friction and hastening wear and tear. Because of the additional energy transferred by the contact, encounters with road debris at high speeds increase the likelihood of damage or rupture. While cornering hard, tires wear out quicker than usual.
Conclusion
As a car owner, you should always keep an eye on the condition of your car tires. The above are a few basic things you can do to keep your tires in excellent condition and boost your safety. Never forget that the tires are the only portion of the vehicle that has direct contact with the road. As a result, they are an essential component of your vehicle.
