Car maintenance is becoming very expensive, and most time this makes motorists to want to find shortcuts
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The present lull being experienced in the economy is making many turn to the use of fairly used tyres.
Having to take your vehicle in to have new tyres put on can be a costly endeavor, when you take into consideration the cost of the tyres themselves as well as the price you have to pay for the labour of having them put on.
Fortunately, it is possible to reduce the amount of wear that is placed on your tires and extend the driving time you will get from them. Practicing a few simple habits will greatly help to improve the life of your tires and reduce the need for continually having your tires changed.
1. Adjust your driving habits
You can’t avoid all tyre wear, but you can avoid driving behaviors that tend to trigger it. For instance, taking curves too fast can wear the edges of your front tyres. Hitting a pothole can create tyre leaks and wear, and even mess with your wheel alignment. Take care to avoid speeding over puddles that could be hiding deep potholes. If possible, avoid them altogether.
2. Monitor and maintain proper tyre pressure
Check your tyre pressure every other time you fill up with gas, or at a minimum, once a month. When properly inflated, your tyres can evenly distribute force from your vehicle to the road. When either under- or overinflated though, your tyres can’t make proper contact with the road. Check out the graphic below to see what we mean. When a tyre is underinflated, more of its surface area comes in contact with the road. When overinflated, less of the tyre’s surface area comes in contact with the road.
Both situations can cause premature, uneven tire wear and lead to reduced gas mileage and tyre lifespan.
To avoid this problem, check and adjust your tyre pressure.
3. Rotate your tyres regularly
General wisdom says to rotate your tires each time you get an oil change. Both services keep your car running smoothly and help you avoid big trouble down the road… like a nasty flat on the highway or a sludgy engine!
A tyre rotation is exactly what it sounds like: the tires are swapped positions to help them wear more evenly (and therefore more slowly). Your front tyres experience more stress when driving, since they are the ones that are primarily responsible for steering and turning the car. A tyre rotation makes sure each tire gets a chance to ride in the front.
4. Routine wheel alignment
Have your alignment checked at the same time you have your tyres rotated. Proper wheel alignment ensures optimal drivability. It helps your tyres last longer, your vehicle drive smoother, and ultimately keep your wheels pointed in the right direction. If you suspect your alignment might be off—or it’s just been a while since you had the alignment checked out (hey, we know life gets busy!)—have your technicians take a look.
Give your tyres the tools they need to live longer and keep you safe on the road by following these four great tips.
