Tire Maintenance To Save You Money |
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Dan Hinchee
23 December 2015
Maintaining your tires can help you save a lot of money. Tire maintenance includes regular practices such as alignment, rotation and inspection. The tires carry the entire weight of your vehicle and without them; your car would not be able to move, so why not invest in quality tire maintenance?
What can tire maintenance do for you?
Just like any other part of your vehicle, your tires get old and worn out depending on how you take care of them. Taking good care of your tires can extend their lifespan and you would not have to buy new tires as often. Doing things as simple as checking the pressure to ensure that they are properly inflated can make a huge difference. The lifespan of tires that are consistently under inflated by 20% reduces by 20%. Instead of your tires taking you the recommended 60, 000 miles, they will only handle 48,000 miles and that makes a colossal difference. This is because underinflated tires do not wear evenly, and before you know it, you will not be able to drive your vehicle safely. Rotating your tires regularly also makes sure the wear is evenly distributed and this makes them last longer.
Proper tire maintenance also saves you fuel. If you are using excess fuel and cannot find any explanation from your engine or driving habits, you should check if your tires are properly inflated because under inflated tires are one of the most common reasons for using excess fuel. This is because there is a higher rolling resistance and your engine has to apply more effort to move the vehicle.
Your own personal safety and that of the vehicle occupants are also a reason why tire maintenance is important. You rely on the brakes and tires to grip the road and bring the car to a stop in emergency situations. They should be in ideal working conditions at all times for your safety.
Tire maintenance tips
Always inspect your tires regularly. If you do not have a lot of driving experience, it is quite difficult to notice when one of your tires has a problem. Take the initiative to inspect your tires at least once or twice a week before you roll out of the driveway. You should also have your tires professionally inspected every year.
Check your pressure at the gas station since it affects the vehicle handling and braking, especially during rainy weather. You should always check the tire pressure before a long trip.
All tires have a recommended load capacity and you should keep this in mind when buying tires or loading your vehicle. You should avoid loading the tires beyond the recommended load capacity as a matter of safety first. Sudden tire destruction may be caused by the excess heat that builds up when driving with overloaded tires.
If you notice any damage to the tire or wheel, replace it with your spare tire before getting it checked by a professional. This can help you avoid further damage and accidents as well.