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Every day improperly maintenanced tires cause accidents on the highway. The accidents can often be catastrophic. Caring for your vehicle’s tires will lower the chance that you or your passengers will be involved in an accident. Tires are one of the primary causes of accidents, and this can almost always be avoided by paying proper attention to your tires.
Tire Maintenance is Not Optional
Maintaining the tires on a vehicle is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it ensures optimal road safety by maintaining traction, especially in wet conditions. Secondly, regular tire maintenance can improve your vehicle’s fuel efficiency by up to 3%. Lastly, it extends the life of your tires, saving you from frequent replacements. This in turn saves you money.
Ride Quality
Tire care will improve the ride quality of your vehicle making for a more pleasant driving experience, and you’ll have the peace of mind knowing that you are safer because you will have more control over you vehicle due to increased traction and stability.
Critical Tire Maintenance
Proper tire maintenance involves several steps. Regularly inspecting your tires for any visible damages or foreign objects like nails is important. It’s equally important to check the tread depth of your tires regularly. You can use the “Penny Test” or the “quarter test” to assess tread depth. If you can see the top of President Lincoln’s head (Penny Test) or Washington’s head (quarter test), it’s time to consider replacing your tires.
Proper Tire Inflation & Balancing
Additionally, your tires should be properly inflated to the recommended PSI, and if they seem to be wearing unevenly, you should have them rotated and balanced (once every 5,000 to 7,000 miles). Keeping your tires aligned is also essential to prevent mechanical problems. Over-inflated or under-inflated tires make it more difficult to steer a car or truck.
Tire balancing, which distributes weight evenly and avoids vibrations, should be part of routine vehicle maintenance. Signs of unbalanced tires may include worn-out tread patterns, tire cupping, shaking, and less responsive steering.
Load Capacity and Speed
Moreover, be mindful of your car’s load capacity and avoid driving at high speeds, which can cause excessive wear and increase the risk of a tire burst. If you notice any damage, use your spare tire and have the damaged one checked by a mechanic.
Tire Lifespan
Lastly, tires have a limited lifespan of about six years, and signs of damage or wear should prompt replacement. Proper tire storage is necessary to preserve appearance and performance, especially when switching between tire sets. You should never let your tires sit for long periods on bare ground. Remember, proper tire maintenance doesn’t just improve your safety on the road but also puts money in the bank.
