_9 Tips For Looking After Your Car Tires 1

Today, almost everyone drives a car. Sadly, driving is a dangerous activity that many engage in daily. With this in mind, it’s crucial to provide your vehicle with regular maintenance and care, especially the car tires. Always ensure that your tires are in optimum shape at all times to minimize potential dangers while on the road.  Let’s check out useful tips to keep your car tires in good shape: 

_9 Tips For Looking After Your Car Tires 2



1. Inspect The Tire Pressure Every Month

Car tires are likely to lose up to a certain number of pounds per square inch of air (PSI) every month. A tire will lose even more during cold climates. If you depend on a professional to assess the pressure only during maintenance at a facility, you might be putting yourself at risk.  

It’s important to note that the leading cause of tire-related crashes is poorly inflated tires. When your vehicle has underinflated tires, it diminishes the handling and gas mileage, leading to premature tread wear and a potentially catastrophic blowout.

Although tires can be expensive, inspecting tire pressure can prolong their lifespan. You can find the right tire pressure for your vehicle by checking the manual or the placard on your car’s door frame.  

2. Rotate Your Tires 

The best way to maintain even tread wear and make the most out of your tire’s lifespan is to rotate your tires every 6,000 to 8,000 miles. If you purchase a set of tires from a local tire store in your area, it might include a free tire rotation service. You can even opt for a tire subscription service that you can readily get in touch with if you need a rapid tire rotation

3. Check The Tires Regularly, Especially Before Long Trips

While inspecting the tire pressure or cleaning your vehicle, perform a physical assessment of your tires. Some of the elements to watch out for include bulges, cracks, and objects that punctured the tire, such as screws, nails, stones, or glass. If any of these objects stabs the sidewall of your tire, it’s time for a replacement. 

If you plan to have a long road trip, inspect the tire pressure before leaving. It’s better to check your tires in your driveway or garage than on the edges of a highway with cars zooming by at high speeds. In case your tires fail while on the road, try calling a tire professional in the area to assist you in changing or replacing your tires.  

4.Maintain Proper Alignment 

The front tires of your car must adequately align. This is a maintenance task that you should do periodically to ensure there’s no excessive difference in the way the two tires are pointing. A tire maintenance facility can determine the degree of alignment on your vehicle’s wheels and adjust it accordingly. Remember that maintaining proper alignment will help prevent excessive and undue wear.

5. Avoid Overloading Your Car

You must check the placard on the door frame showing the amount of weight your vehicle can handle safely. When you frequently overload a car, it can result in tire failure in the long run.

6.Observe Timely Replacement Of Your Tires 

Although tires can be costly, using the tires beyond their lifespan will put you in danger. The majority of tires have a wear indicator amidst the treads. If your tire’s tread depth is at or below this bar, it might be time for tire replacement.  

7. Keep Your Spare Tire Safe

When you have a spare tire on hand, you need to make sure that it’s in good shape and ready when you need it the most. Here are some tips to ensure proper storage of your tires when not in use:

  • Avoid storing your tires in a stack or under heavy objects for extended periods 
  • Keep tires away from direct flames or other sources of heat 
  • Store the tires in a dry and well-ventilated space, away from direct sunlight or water exposure 
  • Avoid exposing your tires to objects or substances that can damage the rubber 

8. Avoid Mismatching The Tires

When you mismatch your tires, it disrupts your vehicle’s handling and even results in unusual wear on your tires and other car components. If you have the budget to buy a new set of tires as spares, make sure you purchase the right ones for your vehicle, whether for city or all-terrain driving.

9. Observe Tire-friendly Driving 

A useful technique when taking care of your tires is to moderate your driving habits. When you engage in high-speed driving, it heats the tires and increases friction, resulting in rapid wearing out of your tires. Additionally, impact with road debris carries more energy when driving at high speeds, which increases the likelihood of damage or even a blowout. If you engage in aggressive cornering while driving, it also leads to your tires’ rapid deterioration. 

Conclusion 

Although it’s relatively simple to take proper care of your car tires, it’s an important task that you should not overlook. When you take the time to provide regular maintenance and care with tire inspections, correcting the alignment, or timely replacements, it can help increase your tires’ lifespan while keeping you safe on the road.