Routine maintenance of your everyday tires can not only enhance the overall driving experience but can lend itself to performance and safety advantages as well. When it comes to the nitty-gritty, tire maintenance is a top component that is often overlooked.
Neglecting your tires can cut into fuel efficiency, affect handling, and even lead to dangerous situations on the road. That’s why we’re here to arm you with the knowledge of how to make your tires last longer and perform better together!
The Basics of Tire Health
Before you fix an issue, it’s important to know what healthy looks like. Here are the basic parameters to keep in mind when checking tire health:
- Tread Depth: Laws require at least 1/16 inch of tread depth. It’s recommended to replace tires with no less than 3/32 inches to maintain optimal performance.
- Tire Pressure: The recommended pressure is often found inside the driver’s door jamb or in the vehicle’s manual. It’s vital to keep tires at the correct pressure to ensure good fuel economy.
- Tire Rotation: Regular tire rotation is usually every 5,000 to 7,000 miles. It helps to even out tread wear and extends the tire’s lifespan.
With these in mind, here are the 10 tire maintenance tips you should know.
1. Know Your Tires
All tires are not created equal. Tires vary in their capabilities and intended use. Some are designed for heavy loads, while others are meant to handle high speeds. You must know what type of tire you have on your vehicle. This way you’ll know how to maintain them based on their intended use.
Check your vehicle’s manual to ensure you’re giving your specific tires, including truck mud tires, the care they need. Always invest in tires with good ratings and reputations, like Versatyre, to ensure you get the best performance.
2. Check Alignment
Misaligned wheels can cause tires to wear unevenly and quickly. If your vehicle pulls to one side, or if your steering wheel vibrates, these could be signs of misalignment. In such a scenario, you should check and take immediate action to maintain a straight and safe drive. Misalignment can also lead to poor fuel efficiency and unstable handling.
3. Balance Your Tires
Balancing your tires can help avoid early tread wear. If you’re noticing unusual vibration in the steering wheel, it might be time to get your tires rebalanced. Tires should be balanced whenever they are mounted on wheels. However, you can balance them anytime a balance issue is suspected.
4. Tread Inspection
Regularly inspect the tread on your tires for unusual wear patterns, cuts, and punctures. Use the penny test, if the top of Lincoln’s head is visible when it is inserted upside down into the tread, it’s time to replace your tires. Also, look for irregular wear, which could be a sign of under-inflation, misalignment, or suspension issues that need to be addressed.
5. Professional Checkups
Sure, tire maintenance can be done at home. It is good to have professional checkups every 10,000 miles or at least once a year is crucial. Professionals can identify issues not easily spotted. They can do more thorough inflation and tread checks.
Moreover, professionals have the right tools and expertise to ensure your tires are in top-notch condition. They can also provide valuable advice on tire rotation and balance for maximum performance.
6. Maintain Proper Tire Pressure
It’s as important to keep your tires properly inflated. Underinflated tires generate more heat and are more likely to fail. Overinflating the tires will result in a rougher ride and have a negative effect on traction, braking, and tire wear. Poorly inflated tires can reduce your gas mileage and, consequently, emit more pollutants and greenhouse gases that are bad for the environment.
7. Climate Adaptation
Tire pressure can fluctuate with temperature changes. It is recommended to check tire pressure more frequently during the winter and summer months. Typically, the tire pressure can change about 1-2 PSI (pound per square inch) per 10 degrees of temperature change.
8. Consider Speed Ratings
Every tire has a maximum speed rating, which is an important factor to consider when selecting the right tires for your driving applications. Excessive speed can generate additional heat that will contribute to tire failure.
When selecting a tire, it is important to pick one that has a speed rating at least as high as your car’s top speed. The speed rating also provides the tire’s handling characteristics like its cornering ability and the amount of lateral force or grip it has.
9. Store Them Properly
When you switch out your tires seasonally, it’s important to store the ones that aren’t in use in a way that will keep them from being damaged. They should never be stored in direct sunlight or near heaters. They should be stacked if possible. They must be stored clean and free from dirt, chemicals, grease, oil, or gasoline. You might also wrap your tires in plastic when in storage. Finally, store your tires in a cool, dry location.
10. Don’t Forget the Spare
Even though your spare tire rarely gets used, it should be maintained like the other tires you drive on. Spare tires can age, so when examining the tread, don’t forget to check the manufacture date, which is located on the tire sidewall.
If the tire is more than 10 years old from the manufacture date, it should be replaced. Also be familiar with how to install your spare, just in case you ever need it, and ensure it as well is in good working condition.
Some Additional Tips
- Replace tires in sets of four to ensure consistent grip and performance.
- Inspect your wheels regularly for any signs of damage or corrosion.
- Avoid overloading your vehicle, as this can put excessive strain on your tires.
- Don’t forget to check the condition of your spare tire at least once a year.
By following these tips, you’ll be able to take care of your tires and enjoy the benefits of a safer, smoother ride. Your tires are an incredibly important component of your vehicle, and a little bit of care will go a long way. Here’s to many miles on the road to come!
Final Thoughts
Regular tire maintenance is not only crucial for your safety, but it also improves your driving experience and helps you save a few bucks along the way. You must choose the right tires, maintaining them properly helps you get the best performance.
Whether the vehicle will be used for daily commuting, long-distance driving, or aggressive off-road driving, it is advisable to pay close attention to tire quality and maintenance. You’re ready to take on the road!