A tire is an essential component of your car. The only thing standing between you and the road is them. Make sure your tires are properly maintained to be safe and save money. In addition to extending tire life and improving fuel economy and driving efficiency, well maintained tires also promote overall road safety.
1. Make sure the air in your tires is correct.
Tires that are under- or overinflated may not brake, steer, or accelerate as intended. Before you go on a drive, or at least once a month while the tires are cold, check the pressure in your tires. Most likely, you’ll discover that something has to change.
At least one tire with low pressure is present in 70% of cars.
A quarter of cars have at least one tire that is underinflated by more than 20%, which shortens tire life and increases fuel consumption.
At least one tire in 17% of cars is overinflated by more than 20%, which leads to increased tire wear and poor handling.
2. Consistently rotate your tires.
Your tires’ lifespan and performance will both increase every rotation. It is advised that you rotate your tires every six months, or 10,000 to 12,000 kilometers.
3. Have your wheels aligned.
Get your wheels aligned annually, or every 25,000 kilometers, to prevent uneven tread wear. Over time, regular hits like potholes and railroad crossings can easily cause your car’s tires to get out of alignment.
4. Verify that the tires are balanced.
Tire tread deterioration can occur quickly and prematurely if your tires are not balanced. Every time you rotate or replace your tires, or install new wheels, you should have your tires balanced.
5. Examine your tires often.
Along with monitoring the air pressure in your tires, physically inspect them and keep an eye out for anything embedded in the tire, punctures, uneven tread wear, and cracks or bulges.
6. Adjust your tires for the current season.
The designs of the two tire types change to accommodate various driving scenarios. Your tires may wear down more quickly than you think if you use summer tires in the winter or vice versa.
7. Avoid using mismatched tires.
Replacing one or two tires at a time may seem more economical, but mismatched tires can result in uneven and quick tread wear or even mechanical problems.
8. When necessary, replace your tires.
When it comes time to change your tires, pay special attention to the wear on your tires. Wear bars are a built-in feature of tires, and it’s time to replace them when the bar becomes visible. Try the Bluenose test if you’re not sure what to look for. Place a penny into the tire tread, sail of the Bluenose pointing down. It’s necessary to acquire new wheels if the tops of the sails are visible. This indicates that the tire is worn out.
9. Verify that tires with punctures are correctly fixed.
It can be readily fixed, depending on the size of the foreign item stuck in your tire and the severity of the puncture. It must, however, be fixed correctly. Bring it to the repairman.
10. Properly store extra tires.
Verify that your tires are clean and devoid of anything that might damage the rubber, such as grease or fuel. If you are keeping your tires indoors, be sure they are kept in a clean, cold, and dark place away from heat sources and direct sunlight. Make sure the tires are elevated off the ground while storing them outside, and use a waterproof covering with holes to keep moisture from building up.
Maintaining your tires properly will reduce the need for replacements, keeping you safer and cost-effective on the roads.