Tires are commonly overlooked as part of regular car maintenance yet, they’re the unsung heroes of every vehicle, ensuring a smooth and safe journey by providing traction and stability on our rides.
Proper tire maintenance serves to improve fuel efficiency, optimize performance, and keep you safe on the road whilst extending the lifespan of the rubber so you don’t have to replace them as often.
For vehicle owners, a little TLC goes a long way in preserving the health of your tires, from occasionally checking the pressure and proper storage, you’ll keep your tires in tip top shape and ensure that they keep on rolling.
‘Tis the Season
Before we dive into the maintenance tips, let’s talk briefly about the types of tires.
The old adage “the right tool for the right job” applies here as well.
Different weather conditions place unique demands on your tires so as the seasons change each year, so should your tires. Using the right type of tires will ensure optimal grip and control whether you’re navigating winter roads or driving under blazing heat.
Why does it matter? Because tire rubber compounds are designed for temperature as well.
In colder temperatures, rubber material such as the kind used in high-performance summer tires, essentially become rock hard when temperatures dip below 45°F (7°C). This means that your tires no longer have the necessary grip and become skates on ice. Winter tires are specially designer with deeper treads and softer rubber compounds which allow them to maximize traction on snow, ice, and slush.
On the other hand, summer tires are made to provide grip on dry or wet roads in warmer weather. The rubber material is stiffer and they typically have more shallow tread patterns which allow for better handling.
Looking for tire recommendations is very easy in today’s digital era. Online retailers such as NeoTires offer a wide selection of tires ranging from winter, summer, all-season tires, and all-terrain tires.
Depending on your weather conditions, all-season tires can provide a good balance between winter and summer weather but having a dedicated set of tires for each season is the safest bet.
Take into account the type of vehicle that you have as well. If you’re driving a rear-wheel drive sports car in the winter and you’re not using winter tires, that makes a difficult driving circumstance even harder and places you at considerable safety risk.
The Pressure’s On
Properly inflating your tires is a key consideration in their longevity. Each tire is designed to operate within a specific PSI (pound per square inch), which is a measurement of pressure and can be found on the sidewall of your tires. This number denotes the maximum PSI that the tire is designed to hold.
In the door jams of your car, there’s typically a sticker that indicates what the optimal PSI is for your tire sizes. It’s important to follow these numbers as overinflating or underflating your tires can lead to problems with handling and safety. Rapid, uneven tire wear will also occur which means your tires will wear out that much faster, leading to more frequent replacements. Overinflating your tires can lead to blowouts which is a significant safety risk.
Many modern vehicles employ TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) which shows you on the dash cluster when your tire pressure is out of whack. So, do your tires a favour and check your PSI regularly such as before a road trip, after a season of driving, and generally get into the habit of visual checks if your tires look like they’re leaking air.
There are various tools you can purchase such as a portable tire compressor that plugs into your cigarette lighter or even just hitting up a gas station for more air.
Spin to Win (Rotate Your Tires)
Tire rotation is another simple yet effective way to ensure even wear across all four of your tires. Vehicles usually come in front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, or 4-wheel drive configurations.
This means that over time, front and rear tires wear at different rates due to factors such as weight distribution, steering, and braking. For instance, front-wheel drive vehicles wear out the front tires quicker than the rear. Therefore, you’ll want to rotate your tires regularly to distribute the wear on the rubber more evenly. Rotating the rear tires to the front as needed will give them a chance to “catch up” on wear and therefore prolong the life of your tires.
Experts recommend rotating your tires every 5,000 to 8,000 miles, but this changes depending on how frequently you drive.
It’s a very common service offered by service shops but if you’ve got a car jack of your own, you can also rotate them from the comfort of your own home. Other tools you need are a tire tread depth gauge so you can tell which tires to rotate in order to time it well and get the most out of every mile.
Don’t Tread On Me
Tire treads are a critical factor in ensuring that you stay safe on the road. The tread depth directly impacts your vehicle’s traction, handling, and braking ability in various weather conditions. Just like a pair of shoes, your tires continually lose tread (material) as you use them. The more tread lost, the less effective the ability to grip the road, making it harder to maintain control.
The deeper the tread, the better your tires are at gripping the road and channeling water away. New tires typically come with 10/32” or 11/32” tread depths, and once it wears down to 2/32”, it’s time for a replacement.
Ever see those pictures of bald of worn tires? You’re basically driving on skates with no stopping power which significantly increases your risk of sliding and not being able to brake in time. In fact, many states such as California even have legislation for bald tire violations under Vehicle Code 27465b VC which prohibits motorists from driving with tire treads below state-approved safety standards.
Making a habit of inspecting and measuring your tread depth is key to maintaining optimal performance so once your tires wear out, don’t wait. Replace them right away.
Keep An Eye Out
Just like any effective neighborhood watch, you’ll want to keep both eyes on your tires and do regular visual inspections.
Tires go through a lot on the road. It’s in constant contact with the road, there’s debris and you take your car over a multitude of terrain ranging from gravel to asphalt. This is why visual inspections can help you catch small issues before they become bigger problems.
So, what are some common things to look for?
Look for cracks in your sidewalls which can be a sign of tires that are too old, or bulges that indicate signs of internal damage to the compound. Keep an eye out for debris that may have lodged itself in the tread or even nails and small stones that could be causing slow leaks. Sometimes these items can cause small punctures that are not immediately noticeable but can deflate your tires over time which affect performance and safety.
A keen eye saves lives.
Store Smart, Drive Safe
We’ve talked about maintaining proper pressure, rotating your tires, replacing them when they’re worn out, but one other key consideration is storing them properly as a proactive and preventative measure.
Storing your tires properly is essential to preserving their condition and extending their lifespan. Improper storage and leaving them out in the elements can lead to cracking, deformation, and overall degradation over time which compromises their safety and performance. You paid good money for them, now it’s also time to keep that investment safe.
There’s several ways to achieve this goal:
- Prepare them for storage by cleaning your tires with a quick wash to remove any dirt and debris as it can deteriorate the rubber over time. A thorough cleaning and drying of the tires ensures that they’ll remain in tip top shape.
- Choosing the right location is important as you want to store tires away in a cool, dry place that’s not exposed to direct sunlight. UV rays and tire temperatures can weaken the rubber compounds over time which leads to crack and makes the material brittle. When this occurs, it increases the risk of leaks and blow outs that can occur when you drive on them. Basements and garages are typical areas where people store their tires but don’t keep them out in the backyard out in the wind.
- Using a tire rack, stacking them horizontally, or even hanging them can help maintain their shape and prevent flat sports or deformation. As an added layer of protection, opt for a protective tire cover to shield them from dust, dirt, and moisture.
By storing your tires and adhering to the tips above, you’ll protect the material’s integrity and longevity. The tires will be ready to rock once you take them out of storage.
