How to Properly Maintain Your Tires

One of a car’s most important safety features is its tires. If tires are worn or under-inflated, they can reduce your control over your car and decrease fuel efficiency.

Proper tire maintenance involves inflating, rotating, and evaluating your tires regularly. This can help extend their life and improve their performance.

Inspect Your Tires Regularly

Tires are a crucial part of your vehicle and should be inspected regularly. The inspection process should include checking the air pressure, examining for cuts, punctures, or protruding objects, and evaluating tread depth.

When inspecting your tires, you should also take the time to look for balding, cupping, cracks, and bulges in the sidewall. These are signs that it’s time to replace your tires or have Auto Repair Exton.

Inspecting your tires can be done in a few minutes and is recommended at least once per month. It’s also important to check your air pressure regularly since proper tire pressure will maximize your tires’ lifespan. It will also help you improve your fuel economy and provide a smoother ride. You can check your air pressure using a tire pressure gauge or your vehicle’s information display.

Check Your Tire Pressure

Premature tire wear is frequently caused by incorrect tire pressure. Using the proper air pressure, as specified by your vehicle manufacturer, ensures that your tires perform at their best. This is important to both your safety and fuel economy.

Check your tire pressure at least once a month, preferably before you set out on long journeys or after adding or subtracting a heavy load from your car. The recommended pressure is usually listed on a placard or sticker inside your driver’s side door, the glove box door, or the owner’s manual.

Alternatively, most modern vehicles with digital displays feature a tire pressure reading in the “Vehicle Information” or “Settings” area of the onboard computer. By removing the valve stem cover and placing the pressure gauge into the valve, you may check your air pressure using a tire gauge. Listen for the hiss of escaping air and note the pressure reading on the gauge.

Rotate Your Tires

The tires on your vehicle provide a comfortable ride and allow for excellent handling and traction. But if they aren’t properly maintained, it can shorten their lifespan and diminish your driving experience.

Having your tires rotated on schedule will maximize their lifespan and performance. The front and rear tires wear differently in most vehicles due to their position. Front tires tend to wear more, as they are responsible for steering and braking. Likewise, back tires carry the engine’s weight and the vehicle’s cargo.

Aggressive driving and driving on rough or uneven roads can increase tire wear, requiring more frequent rotations. Keeping your tires inflated within manufacturer specifications will also help prevent excessive wear and tear. You can find the recommended tire pressure on your vehicle’s information placard or in your owner’s manual.

Keep Your Tires Clean

Keeping your tires clean enhances their aesthetics, helps extend their life, and improves performance. Accumulated dirt, road salt, and caustic brake dust can cause damage to the rubber. This can lead to discoloration and stiffness along the sidewall and tread area and decreased traction, which is a safety hazard for you and other drivers on the road.

Start by rinsing the tire with a hose or pressure washer, using a nozzle that can spray from several angles. During this process, reserve a few rags exclusively for cleaning your tires and wheels to prevent them from soaking up brake dust and debris that can scratch other vehicle surfaces. Next, scrub the tire with a brush and a mixture of warm water and dish soap (about a tablespoon of soap per gallon) to remove stuck-on grime. Be careful not to over-scrub. Allow the cleaner to soften for a few minutes, then rinse thoroughly.