7 helpful tips for tire care and maintenance
Once the winter is over, it is time to start inspecting our tires for signs of wear and tear. Thanks to this handy guide, you'll have the tips and pointers that you need to ensure peak performance for your tires in the months to come. Your tires have a significant impact on a number of performance aspects.
Your safety, braking, ride quality and handling are all crucial aspects of this equation. By taking the time to read on and learn more, you can avoid the usual tire related issues that tend to take place during the summer months.
1) Obtain The Proper Tires For The Season
Some motorists who are simply unprepared for the seasons that lie ahead. They believe that they can continue to use their winter tires once the summer rolls around and nothing could be further from the truth. Sometimes, things are simple.
This step is one of the easiest to accomplish. Check your tires and make sure that you are taking the proper seasonal precautions. In many states, it is also illegal to drive with snow tires once the summer months have arrived. Make sure you are compliant with local laws and codes.
2) Check The Tires' Balance and Alignment
Balance and alignment go hand in hand with tire rotation. By taking the time to check on the alignment of the tires, you are doing everything in your power to lengthen their life span. After all, no one wants to spend big money every few months to replace tires that are not properly aligned and balanced.
The front and rear tires should be rotated every 5,000 miles but some drivers wait until the 7,000-mile mark. Make sure that they are balanced, so that the wear and tear is even. Uneven wear and tear can lead to all sorts of additional issues for the motorist.
3) Check The Depth of the Tire Tread
Traction is one of the most crucial elements when it comes to the safety of the vehicle. Without the proper tire care, traction falls by the wayside. Those who do not take the time to check on their tire tread on a regular basis are placing themselves in a dangerous position.
The penny test is one of the simplest ways to check on the tread of the tire at home on your own. All you need is a penny and a few spare moments. Take the penny and place it inside of the tire tread, head down. Is the top of Honest Abe's head visible? If so, this means that it is time for new tires.
4) Take a Look At The Air Pressure
Tire pressure must be monitored when we are looking to get the most out of our maintenance. Are the tires properly inflated? Overinflation and underinflation are common issues. Tires that are experiencing inflation issues in either direction are not going to perform as well.
Riding safety is negatively impacted in these instances. Take a look at the owner's manual and make sure that the tires are inflated to the exact specifications provided. Uneven wear and tear is a sign that balancing is needed.
5) Regular Tire Checks
This should go without saying but regular tire checks are of the utmost importance. You should be giving them a once over every month during the winter but there is nothing wrong with checking more often. Once the winter months are over, you need to be checking over your tires even more often, if possible.
6) Proper Driving
One of the most common causes of poor tire care has to do with the motorist's driving decisions. If you take the time to moderate your driving habits, you can avoid certain issues. For example, those who drive too fast are exposing themselves to all sorts of unwanted heat and friction.
This is going to cause the tires to wear out far more rapidly than the motorist would expect. Road debris also has a more negative impact when drivers are flying down the highway at higher rates of speed. Blowouts are caused by unnecessary acceleration. Aggressive cornering should also be avoided.
7) Be Sure To Place New Tires on the Back Axle
This is a tip that is not always followed but it is one of the easiest ways to ensure continued performance for your tires. When drivers are traveling down the wet roads during the spring and summer months, they are going to need tires that offer the proper amount of traction.
Whether you are using all-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive or front-wheel drive, it does not matter. If traction is lost in the rear tires first, the car will start to experience spinning during inopportune moments. Try as you might, there is simply no way around physics. You'll need to make sure that you take the right steps to avoid these types of concerns in the future.