Tire Maintenance
Tires to your vehicle are perhaps the most important feature but certainly the feature which a driver has the most control over. It’s estimated that about 10% of car crashes are tire-related and 25% of drivers don’t check their tire pressure every month. With tires being so important and relevant to accidents, why don’t drivers take better control of them? And, what are the best tips for tire safety?
The team at Loper’s Performance Center sees many vehicle issues, and one that makes us frustrated is poor tire maintenance. In this article, we offer some tips to keep your tires in great shape, and, more importantly, you and your passengers safe.
Tire Maintenance Tip #1: Check Tire Pressure
First and foremost, checking your tire pressure is the easiest thing you can do to ensure that your tires are in good shape. It’s recommended you do it once a month, and before and after any extended trip. It’s also recommended to have a tire pressure of around 30 psi, but this can vary depending on the make and model of your vehicle. Under-inflated tires result in poor fuel efficiency, decreased traction and braking power, and more accidents.
Two useful things to have in your car are a tire pressure gauge and a portable air compressor. You can check on tire pressure with the gauge, but some cars also have a dashboard to display the current psi level for each tire. And the portable air compressor will allow you to safely and quickly put air in your tires when the psi level dips.
Tire Maintenance Tip #2: Rotate Your Tires
Your tires periodically reposition, which means that the tire treads won’t wear evenly. Rotating them every so often will ensure a better, more even wear. You should have your vehicle’s tires rotated about every 6,000 to 8,000 miles, which conveniently often ends up being every other oil change. Rotated tires means a better performance and longer tire life.
Tire Maintenance Tip #3: Check Your Tire Treads
The treads on your tires help improve safety. The minimum tread depth is 2/32 of an inch, but deeper depth can be better. 10/32 of an inch are reported to have a stopping distance of approximately 195 feet in the rain. Checking your tire tread depth will give you an idea of how in shape and safe your tires are. If you think you can have better-performing tires after your inspection, don’t hesitate to replace your current ones.
Tire Maintenance Tip #4: Align Your Wheels
When your wheel alignment is off, that means your tires will wear more rapidly and unevenly. You’ll notice this by the drift of your car when you are slowly coasting. If you have to grab the wheel frequently to keep your vehicle straight, your tire alignment is most likely off. About once a year or every 15,000 miles, you should even have your vehicle checked for its alignment. Using the same dealer for all of your visits, oil changes, and more will build trust that your vehicle is constantly getting a good second opinion for all of its maintenance needs. And with proper record keeping, you’ll know when it’s time to rotate your tires, inspect your wheel alignment, and more.
Contact Loper’s Performance for a Free Quotes
Based in the Phoenix area, Loper’s Performance Center is proud to be the largest speed shop in Arizona since 1969. Contact our team today for a free quote on how we can service your vehicle or provide performance parts. Or, browse our blog for more automotive tips and expert opinions.