There is no doubt that we take our tire for granted most of the time. But they are as important part of your vehicle as anything else. You will not be able to go anywhere safely if you don’t have good enough tires. They are your link between the car and the road, neglecting them can be catastrophic.
Your car tires need to be well maintained and repeatedly inspected for any damage. There is only a small part of tire that actually connects to the tarmac, called the contact patch. So for tire to act at its best, and not fail on you at a critical time, they should be kept in optimal condition. Air pressure and tread of the tires should be monitored on regular basis.
Here are 5 myths about tires and their maintenance that we thought would benefit you.
People think PSI written on tire sidewall is the best pressure, but in fact, you will find the recommended tire pressure instructions in the sticker next to driver side door. Always follow the tire pressure ratings from there.
RELATED: Decrypting The Tire Sidewall
Low tire pressure means better grip
This is also not correct. When you reduce the air pressure than what is recommended, the grooves in the tread narrow themselves, making it hard for the tire to bite the surface of the road.
Keep tire pressure less than recommended in summer
The air inside the tire will expand, if the tire pressure is less than recommended. The sidewalls flex inward and outward, making the air hot inside the tire. Keep the recommended pressure even in summers.
You can tell just by handling the tire if it’s soft or hard
That is also not correct. Modern tires have multiple layers. By pressing the tread or the sidewall, you can only feel the upper surface of the tire. Tire will perform very differently under load and stress conditions.
Also Read: How Tires Are Made
Cap on the filling nozzle stops air from leaking
That is completely false. The cap is only there to prevent dust and water particles to enter the tire when filling air. Water vapors inside the tire are harmful for tire. If you want to read about dust and water damage, click here.
These are just we myths people don’t bother to check and rectify in their normal daily driving. Helping your tires will make them perform to their maximum and will last you longer in tire life.