Your car’s tires are the only connection between your vehicle and the road. Tires that show signs of excessive wear or are improperly inflated can become serious safety hazards when driving. Like all the other components in your vehicle, caring for car tires will help them last their expected lifetime. Here are some things you can do to make certain your tires are given the right care.
One of the leading causes of tire failure happens when tires are under-inflated. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 1/3 of all passenger cars, SUVs and light trucks are being driven on tires that are under-inflated. When tire pressure is too low, more of the tire’s surface area is touching the road causing increased friction. Under-inflated tires can overheat, leading to premature wear, tread separation and blowouts. Equally dangerous are tires that are inflated too much.
Tire care includes making sure tires are inflated to the correct pressure is a simple process. Properly inflated tires last longer and help you save on gas. As a general rule, tire pressures should be checked monthly with an accurate tire pressure gauge. The correct pressure for a vehicle’s tires is found on a label on the inside driver side door panel.
Many car owners are at a loss when it comes to knowing when to purchase new tires. An inspection of tread wear will quickly show when tires need to be replaced. The technicians at Shade Tree Garage can show you how to check tread depth on your tires.
When replacing tires it is best to have them installed by a tire dealer or mechanic, like Shade Tree Garage. We have special equipment that we use to install the tires on a car’s wheels. We can also provide you with advice on the tires that will suit your driving needs and budget.
It is also important to have tires aligned and then rotated regularly. Doing so will extend the life of car tires and will allow them to wear evenly. Check our recent blog post about “The Importance of Proper Wheel Alignment.”
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