Most people spend countless hours on their cars, looking to improve the car’s performance and safety. Car enthusiasts will be seen buying new car upgrades such as spoilers, modern braking and suspension systems, and more powerful engines for their cars. While there is no harm in upgrading your vehicle with the latest parts, equal attention must be given to tires as well.
We all know how essential tires are to a car. The car’s acceleration, braking and steering are all dependent on the tires of the vehicle. Therefore, one must pay careful attention to the car’s tire. While it may seem a tiring process to many, it is anything but tiring. This article will list down simple and effective ways to ensure that your tires are safe so that you can enjoy a smooth and comfortable drive.
1. Check Your Tire Pressure
It is one thing that many people fail to do, even though it is critical for the tire’s safety and your own. Tires lose 1 pound per square inch of air (PSI) every month, which is something that must not be taken lightly. Many people get the air pressure checked only during oil changes or once in a blue moon, which increases the risk of accidents.
Even if an accident does not occur, you are damaging your tire as low tire pressure decreases the tire’s durability. To ensure your safety and those of others, check your tire pressure monthly. It will increase their durability, and reduce the chances of a blowout and decrease in the durability.
Please note that both overinflated and underinflated tires pose a serious safety hazard. Therefore, drivers should never underinflate or overinflate their tires.
2. Rotate Your Car’s Tires
Rotating the car’s tires mean changing their positions. Rotation is significant as it increases the durability of the tire. Experts recommend rotating the tires between 8,000-10,000 km. Depending on the drivetrain of your car, the pattern of tire rotation will vary. For example, there is a marked difference between the tire rotation pattern of a Front Wheel Drive and an All-Wheel Drive.
3. Pay Attention to the Tire’s Load Limit
All tires have specific numbers and letters written on their sidewalls. It is vital for drivers to know how to read the sidewall as it contains critical information regarding the tire. For example, a tire has P205/65 R14 88V written on its sidewall. The number 88 denotes the maximum weight that each tire can handle, which in this case is 560 kg per tire.
For example, Accelera Iota ST-68 has a load limit of 108, which means that the per tire load limit is 1000 kg. If someone still faces issues while reading the tire’s sidewall, the car owner’s manual and the placard on the door frame also contains this information.
4. Use Matching Tires Only
Many people replace one tire on a car with a different make and model thinking that it will not make any difference. They can never be more wrong in their lives. Using mismatched tires is not just a safety hazard but can seriously affect your car’s handling and performance. Moreover, mismatched tires can cause your other tires to wear out quicker.
5. Respect the Speed Limit
Driving above the legal speed limit is not recommended in any situation as you are not just breaking the law but endangering your life and those of others. Moreover, driving at high speeds can damage your tires and can decrease their durability. High speed causes the tire to overheat and increases the possibility of damage due to road hazards.
6. Tire Inspection
Many people feel that they cannot properly inspect their tires as they are not professionals. Therefore, they rely on mechanics to inspect their tires. As most people do not have enough time to get their tires checked regularly, there are exposing themselves to avoidable and unnecessary risks. Therefore, we recommend a quick visual inspection which requires no professional expertise.
Check and see if any wires are coming out from the tires as it indicates severe damage to the tire. Secondly, run your hand along with the tire, and if you feel occasional bumps in the tire, it is time to replace them. The bumps indicate that the tire is prone to bursting. Use the famous penny test to measure the tire’s tread. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head on the coin, then change the tires.
Conclusion
This sums up the article, and we hope that the article will help you rethink about how essential tires are for your safety and those of others. Even if you are not an expert, by following these simple and effective ways, you can ensure that your tires are in perfect condition without compromising safety.
