Your tires are a critical piece of equipment that impact the ride quality, handling, and safety of your vehicle.  Your tires are an investment, and like any other investment should be properly cared for. By taking note of these tips, you can prolong the useful life of your tires and enjoy a better driving experience along the way.

CONFIRM PROPER AIR PRESSURE

Keeping your tires aired up to the proper pounds per square inch (PSI) is as important as it is simple.  Your tire is designed to function the best at a certain PSI. Over inflating your tires can lead to premature wear and the increased risk of a blowout. Underinflated tires may come unseated from the wheel during maneuvers, wear out more quickly, and reduce control. Keep a tire gauge in your vehicle at all times to check the air pressure in your tires regularly, and add air as needed.

TIRE INSPECTION

Tires are subjected to many hazards as they roll down the road. Check your tires for damage such as gouges, cuts, and embedded road debris. Operating your vehicle with damaged or punctured tires degrades the vehicle’s capabilities and shortens tire life.

KEEP YOUR ALIGNMENT

The front tires of your vehicle need to be aligned periodically to ensure that there is not an excessive amount of difference in the way the two tires are pointing. A qualified maintenance facility can measure the amount of tow in or tow out on your vehicle’s wheels and adjust it according to manufacturer specifications. This prevents excessive and undue wear.

BALANCE YOUR TIRES

It is important to also have your tires and wheels balanced from time to time. A tire technician will place your tires and wheels on a machine that senses the weight distribution and allows the placement of lead weights on the rim to achieve an even dispersal. This reduces tire vibration and improves your tires’ ride quality.

ROTATE TIRES REGULARLY

There are significant forces in play on the wheels of your vehicle, and those forces vary according to where on the vehicle they are placed. Front tires are affected by cornering, wearing out at the edge more quickly than those in the back, while tires that are mounted to the drive wheels will be subjected to additional wear under acceleration. By rotating the tires around the vehicle, you will even up the wear and gain extra life out of your tires.

TIRE-FRIENDLY DRIVING

One of the most effective techniques for taking care of your tires is to moderate your driving habits. High-speed driving heats up the tires, increases friction, and wears out the tires more quickly. Impacts with road debris carry more energy at high speeds, increasing the likelihood of damage or even a blowout. Aggressive cornering also degrades tires more quickly.

Taking care of your tires is simple, but very important. By taking the time to engage in regular tire inspection and maintenance and by moderating your driving style, you can increase the lifespan of your tires.