Tire Care

Tires are a big investment, yet everyone takes them for granted. This crucial automotive part is an essential element for a safe and comfortable drive with very little noise.  Most people operate on the “fit it and forget it” mode when it comes to their tyres, but still want them to last long or at least through their entire warranty period. Tire maintenance is easy and just requires a few simple steps to be followed. Here are a few tips you can use to ensure your tire lasts long and offers a safe and happy drive always.

• Wheel alignment: 

Driving with a wheel misalignment is like walking with one foot skewed out to the side. It is not only difficult to walk but the misaligned foot also faces a higher amount of friction, usually at the heel. In case of a wheel misalignment, one tire is tries to steer the vehicle in on direction and while the other three tires try to drag it down the road. Soon, the tread of the misaligned tire will be scrubbed off along the outside or inside edge. When a driver notices persistent pull to one side or the need to hold the wheel off-center while driving in a straight line, chances are that the wheels need aligning. Wheel misalignment can happen to the best passenger car tires, and it is wise to not put off this vital automotive maintenance.

• Proper inflation: 

Improperly inflated tyres are a hazard. Their uneven tread and altered footprint leads to uneven wear. In addition, poorly inflated tires cos the owner money due to higher rolling resistance and poor fuel economy. Improperly inflated tires are also the cause of premature tee failure due to stress from stress from overheating. It is advisable to check one’s tire inflation levels at least once a month, using a good quality tire gauge.

• Tire rotations: 

Contrary to popular belief, cars do not have 50/50 weight distribution from front to rear. Even the best passenger car tires do not wear the same way. The front tires see stresses from braking and cornering, while rear tires see different types of wear altogether. Rotating ones tires after every 5,000-mile interval ensures that the tires wear evenly wear and provide better drivability and handling. 

• Clean tires: 

This may seem counter intuitive as tires are meant to get dirty, but cleaning them from time to time prevents corrosion and ensures a longer life.

Tires are easy to take for granted till we truly land in trouble, like on the side of the road or at our own parking lot, which is unfortunate as it is not difficult to make them provide quality service over a long period of time. This is especially important as tires can cost quite a pretty penny to buy and install. Simply follow the tips mentioned above, keep checking and inspecting your treads sidewalls from time to time, and your tires should be good for many years of good, reliable service!