Even with advanced safety features, amazing handling, and other amenities, your vehicle has everything riding on four pieces of rubber. These tires are the only components of your car that actually touch the road, making them the most vital component of your safety. That’s why it’s so important to make sure your tires are in pristine shape and last as long as possible. If you’re unaware of how to take care of your tires, here are some tips to help you maintain them.
Regular Tire Rotation
Few vehicles are perfectly balanced, and each has a different proportion of weight from front to back, as well as different distributions on the axles and the left and right sides of the car. Because of this uneven weight and axle distribution, the front wheels can wear faster than the rear wheels or vice-versa. When the tires wear unevenly, it can pose a safety hazard as well as cause premature failure. To solve this problem, schedule a tire rotation every 6,000 to 8,000 miles or as directed in your owner’s manual. This will ensure even wear and increase tire longevity.
Check the Tire Pressure
Checking your tires’ pressure can make a world of difference when it comes to lengthening their lives. When your tires are overinflated or underinflated, they wear much more quickly than when they have the proper inflation. Both overinflated and underinflated tires can blow at any moment, while underinflated tires can also cause excessive fuel bills due to increased road friction and a higher rolling resistance.
To combat the problem, use a tire gauge to check your tires at least once a month to make sure they’re inflated to the proper level. Newer model vehicles often have a tire pressure monitoring system, which is a good gauge of tire pressure, but nothing beats a thorough monthly pressure check.
Go the Speed Limit
Another huge contributor to early tire failure is going too fast. At higher speeds, your tires can suffer rapid air loss or a sudden blow-out, which poses a safety hazard and the need for new tires. In addition, the tires can get excessive heat build-up and have a greater chance for failure if impacted by a pothole or debris in the road. Whenever possible, go the speed limit, even if you’re feeling the insatiable urge to put the pedal to the metal.
Obey the Weight Capacity
Even trucks and massive SUVs have a weight capacity that shouldn’t be ignored. When you add excessive weight to the vehicle that goes above the weight limit, it can put pressure on the tires, causing an increase in friction. When this happens, the friction leads to excess heat that can cause the tire to burst, which ruins the tire and causes a sudden loss of control. Always check the manufacturer’s posted weight limit before putting heavy objects in the cabin or bed.
By implementing these four tire care tips, you can ensure that your vehicle’s tires will last longer than ever, saving you money and ensuring that you’re safe every time you get behind the wheel.
Image via Pixabay
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