Do you enjoy spending your hard-earned cash on a new pair of tires every so often? Unless you’re a die-hard auto enthusiast, you probably don’t. Follow these four tips to increase the life of your tires.
Check Your Tire Pressure Regularly
Underinflated tires may wear out more quickly and can contribute to poor fuel economy. Keeping your tires properly inflated can help you avoid a blowout and keep them in good shape for the long haul. Keep in mind that tire pressure can change: – Every month. Car tires are capable of losing about a pound per square inch of pressure monthly. – In the winter, when the cold temperature lowers air pressure. – In the summer, when warm temperature increases air pressure.
Rotate Your Tires Regularly
Tires on the front of your vehicle get more use than those on the rear, so they wear out faster. Rotating your tires essentially means to move them from one side of the vehicle to another so that all four get equal use over time. In rear-wheel-drive cars, it’s usually the back tires that wear out fast. In all-wheel-drive cars, it’s the front wheels that see uneven pressure. Given this, it’s important to rotate your tires at least once every 5,000 miles. This will help keep them in good shape longer and prevent uneven wear patterns on your treads. It also allows you to identify any trouble spots before they become too big of a problem and are impossible to fix without replacing the entire tire.
Replace Bald Tires Sooner Rather than Later
If there’s less than 2/32-inch tread left on each groove, it’s time to replace the tire before you get stuck in the middle of nowhere with no spare available! You can check the depth of your tire tread with the penny test.
Get Your Wheels Balanced
When you get your tires rotated, make sure to get the wheels balanced as well. Unbalanced wheels can cause uneven tire wear and excessive vibration. A mechanic can help balance the wheels using small weights and a specialized machine.
