Whether you are driving a car, truck, or even a motorcycle, there is only one part of the vehicle in contact with the road. That’s the tires. These take all the weight of the vehicle and its occupants, they provide grip, and they ensure your vehicle actually moves.
In short, they are essential to your use of the vehicle and your safety. That’s why it is so important to look after your tires and keep them in great shape.
- It Starts With Installation
The first step in keeping your tires in great shape is to make sure you have chosen the right ones for your vehicle. A reputable company specializing in tire installations Fairfield will assess your driving habits and style before recommending the best tire for you.
This ensures it is capable of the speeds and terrain that you wish to use it for. A reputable tire installer will also be certain to fit and balance the tires. This improves the way your car handles and prevents several issues from developing in your vehicle, such as a vibrating steering wheel.
- Check Pressures
It is essential that you check your tire pressures at least once a month. There is nothing wrong with checking them more frequently.
Tires lose approximately one pound per square inch of air per month. It’s worth noting this figure increases when it’s cold. This can leave you with deflated tires that are not as safe to drive on, have a shorter lifespan, and decrease your miles per gallon, effectively increasing your fuel costs.
Incorrect pressure can create handling issues that could cause a problem if you are in an accident.
- Visually Inspect
Tires are constantly in contact with the road and they pick up a lot of debris. This includes stones, pieces of glass, and even nails. All of these things can damage the tire although they may not be noticeable, or have an effect, straightaway.
Visually inspecting your tires at least once a week and whenever you hear a sound from them, will help to ensure your tires stay in one piece and keep you safe on the road.
- Rotate
In order to get even wear of the tires, you should swap them on a regular basis. The best approach is diagonal. That means moving the rear right to the left front and the rear left to the right front.
This helps to avoid irregular tread wear, helps the tires to last longer, and ensures they offer the best possible grip throughout the lifespan of the tire.
- Avoid Overloading
Overloading your vehicle places a huge strain on your tires. If your wheel arches have sunk and are close to your tires you may be carrying more weight than your car is designed for. The stress on your tires can cause them to blow. If this happens at speed it can be hard to maintain control of your vehicle, potentially creating a serious issue.
