Be Safe and Save With These 5 Tire Maintenance Tips
Be Safe and Save With These 5 Tire Maintenance Tips
Posted on August 5, 2018
Tires are simple but yet so complex. At the basics of it, they are nothing but chunks of rubber with tread on them. These pieces of rubber are responsible for converting the earth moving power from those powerful V12 engines into meaningful motion. From the standard economy box to a high-performance luxury car, an automobile is not complete without a set of wheels.
Tires affect the handling, noise, braking, and fuel efficiency so any change in the tire’s shape or structure will affect these aspects of a vehicle. But unfortunately, the tires are also the most neglected part of the vehicle. Everyone remembers to check their engines, gearboxes, or brakes during the service but not the tires.
They keep on pushing the tires till the tires get as smooth as a bald head. And from what we have found, bald heads are not quite safe for driving.
When it comes to tire maintenance, it is all about the timely and careful inspection. Properly maintained tires are not just safer but also help to save in fuel costs. Here are 5 tire maintenance tips that will help you save money and also keep you safe on your journeys.
Keep the Pressure Tight
There’s a reason your car and tire manufacturer suggests a certain level of pressure for the tires. Maintaining the pressure and keeping the tires properly inflated helps in many ways. First, it improves the fuel economy, the tires roll smoother when properly inflated. Second, the handling takes a big hit when underinflated. The vehicle will feel heavier.
On the other side, highly inflated tires can lead to blowouts and unwanted changes in the handling. Check the tire pressures once every month and also before leaving for a long journey.
Rotate the Tires
Good tires can get expensive. So if you want to get the most out of your tires then you should rotate them at regular intervals. You can reduce the potential over-wearing of the tires because of your driving style by rotating your tires during every oil change. You can postpone a tire rotation till 5000-6000 miles.
If you have a sports car then you will have to consult a technician. Most of the higher-end cars come with unsymmetrical sets. You cannot rotate the tires like usual cars.
Wheel Alignment is Necessary
Just like rotation, regular wheel alignment keeps the tires in check. Misaligned wheels can bring all sorts of problems like steering issues, fuel economy issues, and can also prevent structural stress on the components.
You should get wheels aligned whenever you get new tires or if you feel the steering is acting up weird. You should at least get one after every 25000 miles or even earlier if you are riding regularly on rough conditions.
Season Specific Tires
Tires are specially designed for specific use like road tires vs. track tire, all-season/summer tires or winter tires. All of these tires have specific maintenance procedures. There’s a reason winter tires and summer tires are classified as such and they should not be used interchangeably.
Winter tires will wear faster in the summertime and summer tires cannot provide good traction in slippery conditions. So have at least two sets of tires and use according to the right season. This will save you money and also keep you safe during heavy braking.
Keep It Within the Limits
Every tire has limits. These can be in terms of speed, load capacity, driving surface etc. You should respect these limits and should not force the tires to work over their limits. Maintain speed, do not overload the vehicle and avoid stuff like burnouts or donuts whenever possible.
When we sell vehicles at our used luxury car dealership, we make sure to check the tires and other components thoroughly. We keep your expenses and safety at the core of our service. Contact us today at (905) 264-9888 for a test ride.