Best Ways to Care for Your Tires

Though tires do so much without needing much attention, it is always important to make sure your tires are in good shape. Maintaining your tires is not just important; it is a must, as well-maintained tires will not only give you a longer tread life and a more comfortable ride, but will also give you a much safer ride. Getting into a car with tires that are worn out can be very dangerous.

So, if you wish to keep your tires in good shape, but just don’t know how to do it, here are some of the best ways to maintain your tires and keep yourself safe.

Things to Focus On

Certain essential components play an important role when it comes to the condition of your tires. These are aspects that need to be checked and paid attention to. If these are well maintained, your tires will certainly serve you well, helping you save money on the job.

Alignment

The adjustment of the vehicle’s front and rear suspension parts will help your vehicle to handle correctly and will increase the life and performance of your tires. Potholes, railroad crossings, or severe accidents are usually the causes of your alignment getting knocked off. So, you know that if you have hit something, or if the shoulders of the tires are starting to wear out, you need to get your tires aligned.

Rotation

Regular rotation extends the life of your tires. Each tire is removed from the vehicle and shifted to a different position. This will help the tires last longer, as it allows all of them to wear evenly. This will help save money and time in the long run.

Treadwear Indicators

All tires have treadwear indicator bars at 2/32” of remaining tread. When the treadwear is worn down, or when you can see the treadwear indicator bars on any part of your tire, you know that your tire is no longer usable and therefore needs to be replaced. It is important that you take your vehicle frequently for an inspection and have them measure the remaining tread with a tread depth gauge.

Balancing:

Balancing means both the weight of the tire and the wheel after the tire is mounted needs to be compensated. When one area is heavier or lighter than the rest, it means the wheel is out of balance. When the wheel is out of balance, it leads to irregular treadwear and vibration. It also increases the stress on the front end parts of the tires, and this may cause them to wear fast. Therefore, when a tire is replaced, when a balance weight is moved or removed, or when you purchase new tires, you must make sure your balance is checked; otherwise, your tires will soon wear out.

Air Pressure:

The inflation pressure imprinted on the sidewall of the tire is the maximum pressure for your tires, and having proper inflation is very important when it comes to tire care. To keep your tires in good shape, you should check your air pressure at least once a month and before going on long trips. Check the pressure when the tires are cold. Mornings are the best time to inflate your tires. Replace valves when you buy new tires and buy good quality valve caps. It would also benefit you greatly if you had your own pressure gauge as those at gas stations may not always be reliable.

Vibration:

If you feel the car vibrating while driving, the tires, steering system, and suspension system should be checked immediately to determine the cause of the vibration. If the vibration is left to persist, it could cause excessive tire and suspension wear.

Driving Habits:

Last, but not the least, your driving habits matter, too. When you speed, excessive heat is generated, and this causes the tire to wear faster and reduces its durability. Fast turns around corners, fast stops and starts, and driving over curbs and potholes and other obstructions are things you should avoid if you wish to keep your tires in good shape.

By doing these things, you can certainly extend the life of your tires. These simple things make a big difference in how long your tires last. Under or over inflated tires will certainly not last long, as they don’t wear evenly. Getting these things checked will help you save money on fuel, as well, because using under inflated tires is a main cause of excess fuel usage. Also, if the tires are under inflated, it will take great effort for your engine to pull your vehicle, thus, once again, draining more fuel.