We all know how expensive tires are, so whatever can be done to ensure a longer lifespan for them, great. There are many ways you can make your tires last longer, from making sure your alignment is correct to making sure they are properly inflated.
All it takes is a good vehicle maintenance routine to get more life out of your tires and improve your overall driving experience. Here are things that can result from tires that have been neglected.
Misalignment
Potholes can really do a number on your tires as well as your whole vehicle. Any time is good for a wheel alignment check, but spring is ideal because any wintry weather you may have experienced will have been over. Make a wheel alignment a part of any regular maintenance check on your vehicle.
Even if your car is slightly misaligned, this can take a toll on your car and your tires over time.
Uneven Wear and Increased Fuel Expenses
Tire misalignment can cause uneven wear of your tires, increase fuel expenses and reduce their life span. Misalignments force your vehicle to work harder than it should have to as you drive around – mostly due to uneven pressure between all four tires. When your car has to work overtime to get you places, you increase the risk of other issues arising throughout your car.
Misaligned tires can also lead to deterioration of your drive shaft. That’s because uneven tires will pull to one side, negatively impacting your braking and steering systems. Not only are you increasing your repair bills unnecessarily, you’re putting yourself and others at risk on the road.
What You Can Do
There are some steps you can take to ensure your tires last longer. Here are some tips.
Get Regular Tire Rotations
When you rotate your tires, you do your part to ensure a longer tread life, a smoother ride and better fuel economy. You should get them rotated every 5,000 to 10,000 miles, or whenever you go in for an oil change. Not only will this encourage even tread wear, improve your gas mileage, and increase overall tire performance, it will lead to a more comfortable ride.
Check the Tire Pressure
Keeping the proper air pressure in your tires will protect them from wear and tear. If your tire pressure is too low or high, this can result in poor handling, increased stopping distance, and increased risk of wear and tear. On top of that, you’re risking a blowout when driving, which is a huge safety risk.
Your tire pressure will decrease by one psi (pounds per square inch) for every 10 degrees F the air temperature drops. The inverse is true — It will also increase one psi for every 10 degrees it rises.
Heed these tips to extend the life of your tires as well as ensure a safer and more comfortable ride.
Contact I&I Tires
If you need roadside assistance due to a tire blowout or any other reason, get in touch to book a speedy appointment online. If it’s time to replace your tires, check out our shop today.