Your car’s tires are not only responsible for a smooth ride. The condition of tires is a crucial safety factor. Moreover, well-maintained tires will help you prevent damage to several systems in your vehicle and even help you save money on fuel.
In this article, we shall talk about the essential tips that will help any driver take proper care of their tires and enjoy smooth and safe rides longer.
Seasons change, and so do the tires!
Suppose you live in a climate with a significant contrast between summer and winter weather conditions. In that case, you probably know how important it is to replace Summer and Winter tires when seasons change. However, it does not mean that, in this case, you will have to buy a new set of tires twice a year.
The off-season set should be stored away, waiting for its moment. However, the storage conditions will determine in many ways whether your tires will be good as new when their season comes again.
Here are some basic rules of tires off-season storage that will help to increase the lifespan of your tires and save your money:
- Stable environment – rubber is extremely sensitive to temperature change, especially if it happens sharply and frequently. Your tires may start to crumble and deteriorate once stored in an unstable environment. Keep your off-season set of tires in a basement or special facility isolated from extreme temperatures, humidity, and other damaging environmental factors;
- Sun protection – UV light is another crucial damaging factor for rubber. Even a few hours of direct sunlight per day can cause irreversible consequences for your tires. Make sure that there are no windows or another source of UV light in the place where you store the tires;
- Prevent Ozone Cracking – Ozon is another nemesis for your tires. Prolonged inactivity is already one of the most common reasons for a phenomenon called “Tires Dry Rot,” and exposure to Ozon will boost up the process weakening your tires greatly.
The conditions of an average garage or basement are usually more than enough to store your off-season tire set safely. If you don’t have enough storage space, consult your mechanic or local car service center. They can recommend a credible storage facility or even provide tire storage services themselves.
Watch the tire pressure
Air pressure plays a crucial role in your tires` lifespan and condition. Moreover, a car with low tire pressure will consume much more fuel.
Most modern vehicles have special detectors that track tire pressure and let you know immediately if it goes below the recommended level on any of the wheels. Normally you will not have to visit a mechanic once the problem occurs and can easily eliminate it yourself at the nearest gas station.
The recommended tire pressure levels (PSI) are marked in your vehicle’s manual and/or on the sticker at the driver’s door. The average PSI levels for passenger vehicles are between 32 to 35. However, they may vary depending on the size, workload of your vehicle, and some other factors.
It is always best to follow the numbers market in the manual precisely.
Check for the wear bars regularly
Worn-out tires can get extremely dangerous, especially if we talk about winter tires. Such tires will make you lose traction and force you into a severe accident.
Checking for wear bars is the essential prophylactics measure that will let you notice the problem before it leads to harsh consequences and costly repairs.
Make sure the rubber of your tires is depressed thoroughly all over the surface. Ware bars make the rubber groove and make the surface of your tires uneven. If we are talking about winter tires, perform the simple “Quarter Check.” If the portrait on a coin struck in the groves is fully covered, your tires are safe and good to go.
Rotation and alignment
Rotating between the front and back tires regularly allows you to control the workload and the ware-off process. Increasing the lifespan of every set.
Alignment is another crucial element of proper tire maintenance. It should always be done by a qualified and credible mechanic to ensure the safety and comfort of your driving.
Contact OHS Body Shop to learn more about car maintenance tips that will help you save loads of time, money, and energy no matter what kind of vehicle you are driving.
Visit one of our branches located all over Montana’s Greater Flathead Valley, in Kalispell, Whitefish, Columbia Falls and Polson, and get advice, routine check-ups, or emergency repair from qualified mechanics with years of knowledge and experience with all sorts of vehicles.
