The tire is the only point of contact between the car and the road, which is why tire maintenance is such a hot topic. It not only impacts car performance, driver and road user safety, but also the cost of running your vehicle.
Tire maintenance can be quick and easy to do, which is why it’s best to conduct this regularly throughout the year.
Importance of Tire Maintenance
Since your tire is the only thing contact your car has with the road, it’s extremely important to maintain your tires. Without sufficient tread your car will experience a whole range of issues, including the following:
- Increased Risk of Blowouts – due to lack of tread which allows air circulation, the excessive heat build-up in the tire can lead to a blowout.
- Reduced Handling Capabilities – sufficient tread on a tire creates friction between the road surface and the tire, which aids steering, breaking and over performance of a car.
- Risk of Hydroplaning – tire tread helps to disperse water from between the tire and the road, so a lack of tread creates an increased risk of hydroplaning.
- Loss of Tire Pressure – underinflated tires are dangerous and a lack of tread on a tire can cause more rapid loss of inflation in a tire.
Benefits of Tire Maintenance
There are many benefits of tire maintenance, but the most immediate include:
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- Safety of the driver and other road users.
- Fuel consumption is decreased.
- Lifespan of tires is increased.
- Positive impact on the environment due to increased fuel efficiency.
- Cost savings due to longer lifespan of tires and improved car performance.
- Smoother ride and less noise from the tires (dependant on tread choice).
- Rotating tires on a regular basis reduces the amount of effort required to operate the car.
- Having your tires serviced on a regular basis will help to reduce vibration over time.
Tire Agent manufactures a range of different tires designed for a quieter ride with noise reduction technology.
How to Maintain Your Tires
Tire maintenance doesn’t have to be time consuming or costly, but this can be the case if the tires are neglected. Some of the simple steps you can take to maintain your tires throughout the year, are detailed below.
- Choose the Best Tires for You
One of the best methods to ensure that your automobile tires last as long as possible is to get the proper ones. It’s best to go with a reputable firm that offers a diverse variety of brands. Check that all experts are thoroughly trained and educated, with a solitary target to convey extreme and enduring quality with each tire, to guarantee the best item and client support.
- Check Tire Pressures
At least once a month, check your tire pressure and ensure they’re inflated to the level specified in the manual. This check should be performed when the tires are cold, before you set off on a long trip. Tire inflation is particularly crucial for a tire’s lifespan and handling and performance of your car. Often tire noises can be indicative of low tread.
- Rotate Tires
By rotating your tires, you will ensure a more even tread wear on all four wheels. This will help to extend their lifespan and improve the cars performance. Rotating tires should be performed at least every six months, or 10,000 to 12,000 km.
- Yearly Wheel Alignment
Wheel alignment can be thrown out of whack by things like, potholes or railway crossings. If your wheel alignment is out, then you’ll likely suffer from uneven tread wear. By getting an annual wheel alignment check you can ensure that your car is performing at its best.
- Clean Your Car Tires
Allowing dirt and debris to accumulate on car tires can result in lasting damage to both the tires and the vehicle’s metal. Cleaning automobile tires on a regular basis will not only protect them but will also make them look nice for a long time. Cleaning automobile tires will help to maintain greater tire traction, or the tire’s grip on the road or surface it is driving on. Braking will also be considerably more effective, improving passenger safety. Cleaning car tires on a regular basis is one of the most effective ways to keep it safe.
- Buy the Same Tires
It might be tempting to save a bit of money and change just one tire at a time, or mix and match tire brands, but this will cost you more in the long run. Again, this can cause uneven wear on your treads. When replacing tires its best to replace a set rather than one at a time.
- Keep An Eye On Tread Depth
The tread of a tire provides excellent grip and traction on all surfaces, particularly in wet, muddy, or gravel conditions. Uneven wear or low tread depth can cause your car to spin out, which is exceedingly dangerous. It’s crucial to check the depth of your tire tread once a month to verify if it’s safe to drive.
- Balanced Tires
Every time you replace your tires, or you rotate your wheels you would get your tires balanced. This prevents premature tread wear.
- Avoid Overloading Your Car
Each vehicle has a specific load capacity that must be adhered to. This ensures the safety of the passengers and prevents the vehicle from being damaged. Car tires are also affected by overloading. If your car is carrying a large load, the tires will be overloaded, posing a safety risk. Overloaded car tires are particularly vulnerable to damage.
- Check Tires Regularly
By regularly checking your tires you can determine when it’s time to replace your tires based on the tread and also on any damage found. It’s also crucial to get your tires tested by a professional at least once a year to ensure that they’re in good working order. Some tire issues are undetectable to an untrained professional, even though they are harmful in the long run. This can prevent excessive wear on your other tires and help prevent you breaking down with a puncture.
- Monitor Your Driving Habits
It is possible to protect your automobile tires by keeping track of your driving speeds. The speed limit rises on highways and freeways in particular. People continue to go above the speed limit, causing serious damage to their vehicle’s tires. Continuously driving at a high speed increases friction and heat accumulation in tires, causing them to wear out or perhaps tear completely. The lifespan of your tires will be drastically shortened if you keep driving at high speeds.
- Store Spare Tires Properly
Ensure your tires are perfect and clear of anything that could damage the rubber, such as gasoline, oil, or other environmental contaminants. If you’re keeping your tires inside, make sure they’re kept in a perfectly cool, and dark environment away from direct daylight and high temperatures. If you’re putting them away outside, ensure they’re stored off the ground and covered with a waterproof cover that has holes/space in it to keep the dampness out.
Tire maintenance may at first seem like and arduous, costly and time-consuming task, however it is, in fact, the opposite. By maintaining your car’s tires, you can make savings and have to invest less time dealing with the issues that arise from poorly maintained tires. Most importantly though, you can feel a lot safer driving your car on the road.