When it comes to safe driving, every part of your car matters. However, tires and their conditions are among the most important aspects, especially when the seasons change and roads become slippery.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 11,000 car accidents happen in the United States every year due to poor conditions of tires.
Ironically, tires appear the most neglected part of a car. About 70% of drivers admit that they remember about car maintenance only when they see the “Low pressure” signal on the dashboard.
In this article, we shall speak about the importance of timely and thorough tire maintenance and what you can do to avoid accidents and costly repairs that may occur if you neglect the tires for too long.
Don’t forget to “change the shoes” on time
Most probably, you won’t wear the same shoes on a sunny summer day and in the middle of a snowy winter. Most probably, you will slip and fall, get your feet wet and catch a cold.
Technically, the same is true for your car’s tires. The main difference between summer and winter tires is that the latter provides better traction and is more resistant to below-zero temperatures.
Even if you are the lucky one who lives in a warm climate without severe winters, it is essential to change your tires once in several years after a certain mileage. Tires are affected by the mechanic wear-off as well damage by extreme temperatures and other factors.
Your manual probably has information about how often the tires should be replaced, but in some cases, you may have to do it sooner depending on how, where, and when you drive.
Rotate the tires
Front tires tend to ware-off faster due to steering and braking. Moving tires from back to front will help them serve you longer.
Most manufacturers recommend rotating tires every 5,000 – 8,000 miles. Or you can just do it at every oil change.
Make sure that the wheels are aligned
The wheels inevitably get out of alignment once in a while. It happens every time your car hits a bump or a pitfall on the road as well as due to frequent turns, climbing up and downhills.
If the wheels are out of alignment, certain tires may get damaged and wear off faster due to additional weight and strain on a certain side of the car.
Keeping the wheels aligned is another way to take care of your tires and prolong their life cycle.
Keep an eye on air pressure
There is a reason why manufacturers recommend certain air pressure in your vehicle’s tires. It is counted according to the average weight of your vehicle, the workload on wheels, and other factors.
When the air pressure is too low or too high, the tires will wear off faster, lose traction, or vice versa, suffer from higher friction with the road surface.
Don’t overload your car
Sometimes we all have to meet relatives at the airport, take long road trips with family and kids, or help a friend transport a couch from one house to another.
However, overloading your vehicle frequently is another way to damage your tires. Even if you have to transport something big and heavy just once, make sure that you don’t go over the weight limit market in the manual.
Otherwise, you risk popping a tire in the middle of a road and getting into a serious accident. The expenses, in this case, will definitely exceed the cost of hiring a truck.
Find a trustworthy body shop
It is very important to find a car service where the staff will make sure that your vehicle receives all the necessary treatment and regular check-ups.
Here at OHS Body Shop, we consult our customers, help them work out an optimal maintenance routine for their vehicles, and make sure that they all drive safe and comfortable serviceable cars.
Our branches are located all over Montana’s Greater Flathead Valley, in Kalispell, Whitefish, Columbia Falls and Polson. Make your appointment today to make sure that every part of your car is well-maintained and the vehicle will serve you perfectly for many years.