Top Tire Maintenance Tips to Get the Most Miles Out of Your Tires

To extend tire life and improve its performance, check air pressure regularly, rotate every 5000 to 8000 miles and maintain proper alignment. Check tire balance and rotate regularly to ensure safety, optimal traction and braking. Responsible driving with balanced and aligned tires results in a safer, quieter ride and more responsive handling. Maintaining correct tire pressure can boost fuel efficiency by up to 3%. Poorly maintained tires contribute to increased wear and higher CO2 emissions. 

Tire Maintenance 101: Pro Tips For Extending the Life of Your Tires

Do you know that tires can lose about 1PSI per month, and only 19% of drivers properly maintain their tire pressure? According to the Car Care Council (CCC), a lack of overall vehicle maintenance is directly responsible for many thousands of automobile accidents each year, resulting in deaths and damages worth over $2 billion. If you are searching for auto alignment near me, we will inform you in our guide below how proper maintenance can extend tire life and provide a smoother driving experience.

Did you know?Reports from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that roughly 11,000 tyre-related accidents happen in the US annually.

Here is your guide to getting the most miles out of your tires, maximizing life and performance.

• Inflate Your Tires

Check the tire pressure (including the spare one) every month and before long trips, while they are cold, to ensure safety and optimal traction. Adjusting tire pressure with the changing season provides proper grip, handling and braking

Fast FactTires that are 20% underinflated can reduce tire life by 20% and increase the risk of blowouts due to heat buildup.

• Check Alignment

Have your wheel alignment checked by professionals annually or when you feel it’s off. If you feel your car skids to one side while driving at higher speeds, or feel a misaligned steering wheel, check wheel alignment to prevent uneven wear.

• Balance Your Tires

If you notice vibrations at high speed or after changing your tires, rebalance your tires to prevent uneven tread wear and strain on your suspension.

• Overinflating tires causes the center of the tread to wear faster, while underinflating quickly wears down the outer edges. Uneven wear reduces your tire’s lifespan, resulting in costly repairs.

• Monitor Tread Depth and Wear

Perform the penny test to monitor the tread depth (safe depth is 2/32 of an inch). If you insert the penny in the wear and notice the tires are worn to the extent that you can see any part of President Lincoln’s head, consider replacing your tires.

• The total amount of time required to check tire air pressure each day is 10 seconds, or five minutes each month but these five minutes can help save you hundreds of dollars on fuel efficiency and lower vehicle maintenance costs.

• Regular Tire Rotation

Move tires to different positions every 5000 to 8000 miles to prevent uneven wear, particularly for front-wheel-drive vehicles. Your manufacturer’s manual can guide you through the recommended schedule for rotations to extend the tire’s longevity.

Important factUnder-inflated tyres (with worn or low tread) are three times more likely to be involved in a crash. 45% of drivers do not know where to check for the correct tire pressure (PSI) on their vehicle.

• Drive Responsibly

Avoid harsh braking, fast cornering and hitting potholes to reduce stress on tires and components and prevent accidents and sudden blowouts.

• Avoid Overloading

Check your vehicle’s load capacity (Gross Vehicle Weight Capacity, GVWC). Excessive weight can increase rolling resistance and poor fuel efficiency, apart from causing faster wear. 

• Store Properly

If storing your tires, keep them in a cold, dry place, away from direct sunlight to prevent rubber cracks and wear.

• According to the US Department of Energy, underinflated tires can lower gas mileage by 0.2% for every 1PSI drop in pressure from all 4 tires. You can improve your gas mileage by 0.6% on average, up to 3% in some cases, by keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure. 

• Replace Aging Tires

Replace your tires if exceeding 6-10 year age limit or the tread depth falls below 1.6 mm. Replace immediately if you see cracks, bulges, blisters or cuts. Check the sidewall for the DOT symbol, followed by 4 digits. The last two digits indicate the year of manufacture. 

Conclusion

Tires should be checked at least once a month for pressure and tread to extend tire life. Regular rotation and inflation with proper maintenance can prevent accidents, improve fuel efficiency and save money on repairs and costly, premature replacements. Schedule a professional tire check now for smoother and safer rides.

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