Your tires are one of the most essential parts of your vehicle. Your vehicle cannot go anywhere without your tires, no matter how good of condition your engine is in. Maintaining your tires will help your fuel efficiency and overall performance and safety on the road.
We have seven tips to help you keep your tires in good working condition day in and out.
1)Rotation
Did you know that regular rotation of your tires will help extend the life? Most experts suggest that you should rotate your tires once every 10,000-12,000 miles or every six months.
Now, obviously, you can do it much sooner(if you need to), but that is the recommended suggestion.
2)A Wheel Alignment
There are two elements to this debate. Some suggest that you should get a wheel alignment every year. Others suggest that you get a wheel alignment every 25,000 km. Which one is right?
It depends on the situation you are in. Some can get by without having a wheel alignment for a year or so. Others need one sooner. It depends on the wear and tears your place on the car.
Some of the more severe impacts, such as potholes and railroad crossings, will lead to you needing a wheel alignment sooner. A car accident can also lead to needing one much sooner. Once again, it all depends on your situation.
Take a look at the current state of your tires.
3)Tire Inspection
Having a frequent tire inspection is a must. Now, some of you might not know what to look for. Have someone who knows what they are doing if that is the case. You need to look for things like tire bulges and punctures.
One small puncture, which if left untreated, can lead to something bigger. That is why regular inspections are necessary. That is not to say that you need to inspect your tires every second. That would be counterproductive. You should keep an eye on things such as tear wear, low tread, and other issues every so often.
What if I need new tires right away?
You could always check with your mechanic to see if they have the right tire in stock. Most of the time they will, but sometimes there is a tire shortage. When that happens, you might have to buy tyres online.
Make sure you know the size, model, and all information pertaining to your tire situation. That way you order the right one. You can always do some research prior to making a purchase if you need some extra help.
4)Seasons Change
Now, according to Canada, it is suggested that you change your tires every six months. That way you have summer and winter tires. Winter months tend to do more damage anyway.
The winter tires are designed to function specifically in the winter. Some people like to use their winter tires during the spring and summer months. The only problem with that is you will wear your tires down much faster.
Those who drive with uneven tires can have mechanical issues. You could even wear your tires down faster if they are uneven. That is why most car experts in the US abide by Canada’s rules.
The Penny Test
One quick way to know if your tires need to be rotated and/or changed is to do the penny test. Make sure the Queen’s head is facing down and put the penny into the tire groove. Do you see the top of the crown? Your tire needs to be replaced.
5)Tire Imbalance
Take a look at each tire right now. Does one of them seem to be a little unbalanced? That means that you need to rotate one and buy a new one. Imbalanced tires lead to unsafe driving conditions. You could cause an accident. You could wear down your tires faster.
Every time you have your tires rotated, you need to have them balanced. You also should have them balanced properly when you change them out or buy new.
6)Holes
We talked about tire punctures earlier, so let’s dive into that a little more. Make sure that you have the hole repair when you find one(no matter how small it is).
Some like to leave the hole unless it gets bigger. That is going to lead to other issues on the road. Take it to your mechanics. He or she might suggest you have a new one installed(depending on how bad the hole is).
7)Spare
Always have a spare with you. Make sure that it is stored properly and clean. Do not leave them out in the sun. That will cause deterioration of the tire. Moisture build-up can also cause issues, including low tread and poor performance. Buy a new spare if you suspect that the current one you have is not in good shape.
