Tire Maintenance: 5 Tips to Keep Your Tires in Good Shape
For the most part, we don’t think about our tires until something goes wrong, like a flat or a blowout, and then it’s too late. When it comes to a car, tires are like your feet. You’ll feel wonderful and have a terrific time if everything is running well. However, if something goes awry, you’ll be in a lot of discomforts.
These five steps can help you keep your vehicle’s tires in peak condition so you avoid a massive setback when you least expect it.
1. Keep an Eye on the Air Pressure
Not only is the weight of the vehicle exerting pressure on each tire, but so is the pressure of air in the tire itself. To keep your vehicle’s tires properly inflated, they are pumped to a specified PSI (pounds per square inch).
Experts at Tireforge.com agree that poor handling and decreased fuel efficiency can be caused by under-inflated tires. Due to the fact that underinflated tires are more susceptible to blowouts, they might lead to car accidents. Overinflated tires can also easily blow out, so be careful not to overinflate them if you need to add air.
Using an air pressure gauge that may be attached to the valve stem of each tire, measure your tires’ PSI. A gauge may be purchased at your local car parts store. The pressure in your vehicle’s information center may also be shown digitally.
Look in the owner’s handbook or on a sign in front of the driver’s door jamb to determine your car’s recommended air pressure. We also recommend that you check your tire pressure at least once a month, so be sure to set a reminder.
2. Visually Examine the Tires
Check tires during monthly pressure checks, before a long road trip, while filling the gasoline tank, or while you’re cleaning your car. However, it’s not enough to do a quick glance; you’ll really need to know what warning signs to look for.
Inspect your tires for cuts or worn areas and have them serviced as soon as possible. Ensure the tread wears evenly and the sidewalls are in good condition. Tires with unusual wear may have been over or under-inflated.
3. Schedule Professional Inspections
In the same way that regular medical treatment keeps you healthy, correct alignment and balancing of your tires will extend their life. Punctures and blowouts are more likely if regular maintenance is neglected. When tires aren’t properly maintained, your vehicle’s ability to manage rain, snow, or ice deteriorates, resulting in hydroplaning or traction loss.
A worn or punctured tire on your car means it’s time for new “shoes.” Make an appointment with your local tire shop as soon as you discover a problem with one of your tires.
It’s not uncommon for the simple chore of replacing a worn or broken tire to fall to the bottom of our to-do list, but remember that if you put off changing worn-out tires, you put yourself, your passengers, and other road users at risk.
4. Don’t Mix and Match
So, if you do have a flat tire, you can just get a new one, right? It’s advisable to replace two tires at a time and put them both at the rear of your car. Even though it may seem like a little inconvenience, replacing only one tire or putting slightly worn tires at the rear can have a severe impact on your vehicle’s performance.
Furthermore, everyone who has ever driven on a spare tire knows how much of a difference it makes to the way a car handles. A spare is intended as a temporary solution, not a replacement. So, don’t wait longer than necessary to get the spare exchanged for a brand-new tire.
5. Make Sure You Drive Safely
Driving aggressively or at high speeds can lead to tire damage, but so can exceeding the vehicle’s maximum weight capability.
Also, if it’s possible to do so without endangering your safety, steer clear of any unexpected roadside debris that may damage your tires.
Bottom Line
Your tires are an essential part of what makes your vehicle run smoothly. If there’s an issue with even just one tire, it can completely affect your vehicle’s performance and lead to dangerous driving conditions.
Inspect your tires every few months for noticeable cuts, tears, or treading issues. Then, make sure you receive a vehicle inspection at least twice a year. Always ask the professionals if a tire rotation is necessary when you visit.
