Regular maintenance is one of the most effective ways to maximize the lifespan of your automobile. The same principle applies to your tires: keep them in top condition by maintaining them with a few simple tasks. Not only will they last longer, but you will experience other benefits, such as a safer driving experience and better gas mileage.
1. Schedule Regular Tire Rotations
Plan on rotating your tires every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. The exact figure for tire rotations varies based on the make and model of your vehicle, so make sure to check your owner's manual. How you rotate the tires will also depend on your car's recommendations. Some manuals advise swapping just the front tires with the back tires, while others recommend changing what side the tires are on as well.
Tire rotations are important for proper tire service maintenance because it helps the tires wear down evenly. How quickly a tire wears down in part depends on its location on your car. By regularly changing the tires' positions, you ensure that each tire is eventually subjected to areas of your car that provide greater or less wear.
For example, assume that you have a front-wheel-drive vehicle. If you leave the same two tires on the front of the car indefinitely, these tires will wear out much more quickly than the back tires. Regular tire rotations prevent this from happening and prolong the lifespan of your tires.
2. Maintain Proper Air Pressure
You should check the air pressure of your tires on a monthly basis or before embarking on a long drive. Again, read your vehicle's owner manual for clarification, but most automobiles state that the air pressure should fall between 30 and 35 PSI. It is important to check that your tires are neither over-inflated nor under-inflated.
Tires that are over-inflated will wear down at a faster rate than tires that are at the correct air pressure. If your tires are underinflated, they may not be able to adequately grip the road, putting you at risk of suffering an auto accident.
3. Keep Your Car in Alignment
There isn't an exact recommendation concerning how often you should have the cars of your wheel aligned. Instead, pay attention to the performance of your vehicle. If you notice that it pulls to the right or left, this likely means your wheels are out of alignment. When driving on a straight stretch of road, your steering wheel should remain centered. A steering wheel that appears crooked is another indicator that your car needs to be aligned. Reach out to a professional for wheel alignment services if you notice something wrong.
A car that is out of alignment will pull in one direction, subjecting the tires on this side of the vehicle to more wear and tear. Keeping your car aligned helps the tread on your tires to wear down evenly.
When your vehicle starts to experience problems, you never know what you could come up against. From car fires to sudden motor problems, you could be faced with serious automotive concerns that strike when you are least expecting it. Fortunately, by knowing what to look for and how to prevent future issues, you could prevent problems and know how to squash issues soon. This blog is completely committed to helping others to find the right auto service for their car, since it can really help to prevent problems down the road. Check out these tips for how to find appropriate service before you know it.