Tires are a vital part of your car and sometimes the more overlooked part. Taking adequate care for their protection should never be optional. Proper maintenance will maximize the longevity of the tires, increase fuel efficiency and also ensure your safety on the road. Ignoring your car tires raises the risk of road accidents. Know your car tires well as it is essential both from the point of yours and your car’s safety:
Read the owner’s manual and instruction placard
Your car manufacturer describes the size and type of tires which work best with your vehicle in the owner’s manual. These details are also mentioned in the information placard which is permanently attached to your car on the door edge, door post, gloves compartment door or inside your trunk lid. Such information can also be found on the manufacturer’s website. These details will guide you in the maintenance of your tires and also when you shop for new tires to replace the old ones.
Decipher the code on the sidewall of the tire
This code is a standard required by the federal law to describe tires and identify them in case of a recall. The website of National Highways Traffic Safety Administration can guide you to decipher the code on the tire sidewall. It’s essential to be sure that the new tires are just right for your car.
Check your tire pressure regularly
Car tire safety requires that your tires be adequately inflated. Your information placard will list the proper pressure for the front and the rear tires. Deflated tires not only increase the risk of accidents but also add to fuel inefficiency. The wheels and other parts of your car may also be exposed to damage from deflated tires.
Rotate your tires regularly
This will ensure car tire safety by increasing the life and better performance of your tires. Rotating may be required after every 10,000 kilometers or once in 6 months, whichever is earlier.
Get the wheel alignment done every year or after every 25000 km
The rough roads and potholes may throw your car wheels off alignment. If the wheels are not aligned well, your tires may have uneven tread wear. Car tire safety requires well-aligned wheels.
Inspect your car tires regularly
By doing so, you may find bulges, cracks, punctures, uneven tread or objects lodged in the tires. This will help you take steps for your car tire safety.
Buy season-proof tires
If you are living in a place where the seasons are severe, change the tires to suit the season for the safety of your car tires. If you use your winter tires in summer, they are likely to wear out fast and the summer tires wear out fast if you use them in winter.
Replace all the tires at the same time
Do not disregard your car tire safety by mixing new tires with old ones. By doing this your new tires will wear out faster and your car may face mechanical issues.
Have your tires balanced
Every time you change your tires or rotate them, have them balanced too. Balancing ensures car tire safety as you can avoid uneven tread wear.
Have the mechanic repair the punctured tires properly
Get the foreign object removed immediately from the tire to ensure your car tire safety.
Store the spare tires properly
To ensure your spare car tires safety, store them away from direct sunlight and moisture build up. Do not expose them to gasoline or grease as these will cause deterioration of your tires.