How can you make your tires last longer, perform better and save you money on fuel? Simple. Be sure to regularly inspect and care for them. These tips can help you do your P.A.R.T. (see what we did there?) to take better care of your tires.
Tire Maintenance Essentials
When it comes to caring for your vehicle, there’s a lot to remember in terms of maintenance and regular care. Be sure to keep the P.A.R.T. acronym in mind:
- Pressure – Check your tire pressure monthly. Use a good quality tire gauge, a quick look or just “kicking the tires” can’t detect under or over-inflation problems.
- Alignment – Proper alignment is an important part of tire maintenance. Poor alignment will cause your tires to wear unevenly and increase fuel consumption. Common practice is to have your alignment checked annually or every 25,000 km.
- Rotation – Regular rotation will minimize wear and prolong the life of your tires and reduce the risk of a sudden failure. Front tires work harder than rear tires as they wear from steering and rolling and will wear out faster than rear tires. Rotate your tires according to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation, found in the owner’s manual. Or, talk to your tire professional to find out how – and how often – the tires on your vehicle should be rotated. Common practice is to rotate tires every 10,000 km.
- Tread – Treads are your tire’s toes; designed to help your vehicle start, stop and go around corners safely in any weather. These treads wear out over time, but drivers can prolong the life of their tires with proper care. Proper treads allow for normal handling of your vehicle and help prevent skidding and hydroplaning. It is important to check your tire treads regularly. By law, all tires are manufactured with a “wear bar” that tells you when the tire must be replaced.
In addition to maintaining your car’s P.A.R.T., be sure to store your tires when not in use. Tires should be stored upright in an indoor location, out of direct sunlight or exposure to strong artificial light, heat, ozone (electrical motors) and hydrocarbons when not in use. If tires are stored on their rims, the pressure should be reduced to approximately 15 psi to avoid cracking or deformation.
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