Tires are an incredibly important component of any car. After all, your vehicle cannot move without them. But apart from movement, a good set of tires also keeps your car safe while driving, especially during adverse weather conditions like rain and snow.
Whether you are a casual driver or a professional mechanic looking to buy a tire changer machine, it pays to know basic tire maintenance. These pointers will help you maintain your tires, extend their service life, and prevent sudden blowouts. The goal is to keep you and your passengers safe. Let’s start.
1. Be extra cautious during hot days
Heat is the number one enemy of rubber. Tires naturally create heat during typical driving situations, but driving at fast speeds, overloading, and underinflation can exacerbate heat creation. This becomes a critical issue during hot days and summer months, and driving too fast or with too many passengers on a particularly hot day can lead to a sudden blowout.
If you want to counteract this, you need to ensure that the tires are always correctly inflated. If you do not know how to do this, you can always ask for help from a professional mechanic. Once you have learned how to inflate a tire, always keep in mind that gas stations are mandated to provide free air and water for drivers.
Do not forget to inspect the tires as well. A quick visual inspection can reduce the chances of an accident happening. For instance, if your car has been parked for more than two hours, check if the tires are the same temperature at their surroundings. Afterward, head to a gas station to adjust the tire pressure to the recommended level.
2. Avoid overloading
People often overload their vehicles, especially when going to the beach or moving to a new apartment. Many drivers gauge their vehicle’s loading capacity based on how much they can fit inside the car. This is a dangerous method.
All vehicles have a maximum cargo capacity. Exceeding that capacity can lead to overloading and tire blowout. Check the information card or user manual for the maximum weight (driver, passengers, and cargo combined) the vehicle can safely carry. You will probably find out that your car can only safely fit a few people and a small amount of cargo in the trunk area.
3. Always carry a spare tire
If you have a newer car, then you probably already have a spare tire in your trunk. But for older models, you probably have already used the spare tire. In that case, you will need to buy a new set. You should also check if your spare tire is properly inflated. This should be done before driving, not when you need it.
Not all vehicles need spare tires, however. Some models are designed with run-flat tires, which allows you enough integrity to drive to a tire or service shop for immediate replacement.
Drivers often underestimate the importance of the tire. Tires have to be replaced frequently to ensure your drive is safe and efficient. These five tips will help extend the service life of your tire and keep it from exceeding its limits.
