Tires are the sole contact patch with the road. No matter how technologically advanced your vehicle's onboard systems may be or how much mechanical grip it packs, if your tires or wheels encounter a problem, you're going to be in a bit of a pickle, to put it mildly.

Sadly, we've seen all too many examples of routine maintenance neglected in this area. Maintaining your wheels and tires is very easy to do and, for the most part, doesn't require any specialist tools. A good pair of eyes can spot many things that could go wrong down the line, leading to expensive repairs or even life-threatening accidents. In this article, we are going to tell you why you shouldn't neglect your tire and wheel maintenance and what you can do from the comfort of your garage or driveway.

Looking for all things tires and wheels? Simply hit up the 4 Wheel Parts website or come over to one of our stores, and we'll take care of you.

Why You Shouldn't Neglect Your Tire & Wheel Maintenance

As we said, they are the sole contact patch with the road, and they are attached to your vehicle via the wheels. Whether there's a problem in one or the other, or both, your vehicle's safety is compromised. At the very least, it would be unroadworthy and illegal to drive. At the worst, it could cost lives in an accident.

Contrary to popular belief, tires and wheels are not low or zero-maintenance items. Tire pressures, condition, wear, age, and even type are all factors that should be looked at. Wheels should be kept balanced, checked for damage, and kept clean as well.

A gentle reminder that you should use the correct tires for the weather and conditions of the surface on which you're traveling. High-performance tires used off-road will quickly get damaged and blow out. Mud tires on freeways will make a horrendous noise, sap up fuel economy, and wear down faster. Summer tires in winter can be dangerous, as can winter tires in summer.

Routine Tire Maintenance

While significant tasks such as installing a new tire on a wheel rim require a visit to a tire shop or dealer, there are quite a few things that you can do from the comfort of your driveway. You just need a little bit of time, a good eye, and a willingness to get a little dirty for the slightly more intensive inspections.

Check Tire Pressures

If your vehicle has a TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System), you can easily do this from the comfort of the driver's seat. If it doesn't, you can purchase a handy tire pressure gauge that will easily fit in your glove box, storage compartment, or corner of the trunk, and check your tire pressures once every couple of weeks.

Always check tire pressures in the morning when the vehicle and tires are cold, and inflate to the manufacturer's recommendations. You can typically find this on a sticker inside the driver's door jamb or in the vehicle owner's manual. A portable air compressor can be used to inflate any under-inflated tires.

Check the Tire Treat Condition

There are many ways to check tread condition, including the 'Lincoln's head penny test.' Whichever method you use, ensure that your tire tread is more than the legal minimum and if it isn't, consider getting new tires as soon as possible. Look out for unusual wear patterns which can indicate suspension or alignment issues.

Check the Tire's Expiry Date

Tires do have expiry dates. The rubber is subject to degradation as the binding compounds dry out or become exposed to UV rays. The typical expiry period for an average passenger vehicle tire is five to seven years. You can find the manufacture date in a four-digit code on the sidewall, then count up the years from there. The first two digits in the code represent the week and the last two digits, the year. A tire marked 4918 was manufactured in the 49th week of 2018, for example.

Inspect Tires for Damage

Park your car in the sun, where the tires are easily visible, and inspect the tread and sidewalls for damage. Check for cuts, foreign objects such as nails, and blisters. Pay particular attention to the sidewalls, as these are most vulnerable to curb impacts and the edges of potholes or utility hole covers. Sidewall damage cannot be repaired safely, and a tire with a damaged sidewall must be discarded and replaced with a new one.

Maintenance On Wheels

Yes, there are things you need to do to keep your wheels in good condition as well. Here are some of the most common.

Keep Them Clean and Inspect for Damage

Keeping your wheels clean keeps them looking good, as well as makes it easier to spot any damage, such as hairline cracks. Wheels aren't invincible – they can be damaged by sudden impacts such as taking a speed bump at regular speed or a hit with a curb. Hairline cracks can be obscured by dirt and dust and slowly grow until the wheel fails. Inspect your wheels for damage as soon as you've cleaned them.

Ensure They are Well Balanced

Wheel balancing is essential, as wheels and tires aren't perfectly balanced from the factory, and as they get used and tires wear out, the balance can shift. Poorly balanced wheels can cause undue stresses on the tires, wheels, and suspension components, as well as impair the handling of your car.

Tires, Wheels, and Everything Else at 4 Wheel Parts

Many off-roaders with varying degrees of experience and interest choose 4 Wheel Parts, and it's not hard to see why. With a fantastic online shopping experience that's backed by six distribution centers to ensure timely delivery, shopping at your fingertips has never been easier. You can choose from thousands of products made by hundreds of the world's best brands.

If physical shopping is your thing, there are 100 4 Wheel Parts stores located nationwide, offering the same array of products. Whether you shop online or offline, you can avail yourself of friendly expert advice from professionals, competitive pricing, a price-matching policy, and robust after-sales service with all applicable warranties. What are you waiting for? Join the community!