Tires are one of the most important parts of a car and yet they are the ones that are often overlooked during car maintenance. However, you need to put careful attention on your tires if you want them to last for long. Furthermore making sure that your tires are in good condition is also one way of ensuring your safety on the road. Here are some tips on tire maintenance.
Check the Tire Pressure Regularly
You need to check the tire pressure at least once every month, or more during cold seasons. Normally, tires lose approximately 1 psi/month and another 1 psi each time the temperature drops by 10 degrees Fahrenheit. For safety reasons, it is important to maintain proper tire pressure.
Always Fill Up Under-inflated Tires
When you see that your tires are under-inflated, you must ensure that you will fill them up according to their recommended psi rating. You can always check your vehicle’s information sheet to know how much psi pressure you should set for your car tires. In case you are on the road, you can always use the coin operated air compressor in just about any gas station to fill up your under-inflated tires.
Tire Rotation
If you want to extend the lifespan of your tires, then you must practice rotation for every 5,000-8,000 miles that your car has traveled. If you don’t practice rotation, one of your tires will wear more than the others, and require early replacement. You can rotate the tires by swapping the tires on the same axle. Or by crisscrossing all four, as long as your tires do not have directional treads. In this way, your tires will wear evenly. This also makes your worn tyres last longer.
Inspect the Treads
Always inspect the treads of your tires on a regular basis if you see that the treads are already worn off, then it is an indicator that you need a replacement immediately. Worn off treads does not provide enough traction. If you don’t replace your tires, chances are that your car will skid on a slippery and may make you lose control. New but cheap tires will do better than worn-out tires.
Be Alert of Unusual Noises
When you are on the road and is driving 50 mph, you must be alert of the noises that your tires produce. If you hear anything unusual, then this indicates that there is something wrong with the tires. You may inspect it yourself, but if you can’t figure out what is wrong, it is advisable to let a professional inspect your tires.
Replace Your Tires
No matter how you maintain your tires, there will always be a point that the tires will reach its lifespan. The average lifetime for car tires is 6 years or lower, depending on
your tire maintenance practices. If you are traveling a lot, then 40,000
miles is the average mileage for tires. If your tires are near its expiration, then you should provide replacements soon.
