Tires are what keep your vehicle on the road, pointing in the right direction and moving the way it should when you command it. These round rubber rings are engineered to a high level of precision, and there’s over a century of tire development behind them. A little bit of maintenance and care from your end will ensure that they are in peak condition and will last as long as possible.
Driving style does play a part in getting the most of your tires as well. Do you enjoy hard acceleration and braking, doing burnouts, and cornering with tire squeals? If so, don’t be surprised if your tires wear out faster. Are you the kind of driver who doesn’t pay attention to road conditions, driving over potholes and speed bumps without slowing down? If so, your tires will be more likely to sustain irreparable damage.
Regardless of whether you’re a racer on the road or a conscientious driver, there are things you can do to get the most out of your tires. Here, we present the five best tire tips to get the best out of your tires. In the meantime, if you’re in the market for the best truck tires, look no further than our range.
Inspect Regularly For Damage
Tires can sustain damage from impacts with curbs, potholes, uneven maintenance hole covers, nails, and other debris on the roads. Inspecting your tires for damage helps ensure that they remain safe for use. Not all types of damage can be repaired. A puncture in the middle of the tread, for example, can usually be fixed, but damage to the sidewall of a tire is irreparable, and the tire must be replaced.
Punctures in the tread are usually caused by sharp objects such as nails. If the puncture is towards the center of the tread, it can generally be repaired. However, if it is on the very edge, known as the shoulder, or in the sidewall, repairs should not be attempted.
Blisters and bulges typically occur in the sidewall after a sudden impact with a hard object, such as carelessly mounting a curb or hitting a hump at high speed. Blisters and bulges are dangerous because they tend to slowly become larger over time, until they blow out, usually when you’re traveling at higher speeds or need to brake suddenly.
Cracks in a tire are also dangerous, as they indicate that the structure of the tire has been compromised. Cracks can’t be repaired either, and the tire must be replaced. Older tires are more prone to cracking, and tires do carry an expiration date which is typically five to seven years from the date of manufacture. A four-digit code on the sidewall displays the week and year of manufacture.
Check For Uneven Tread Wear
Uneven tread wear can be a result of improper inflation pressure, as well as poor alignment or suspension issues. There are many types of uneven tread wear. The most common are:
- Irregular wear on the center of the tread is a result of over-inflation of the tire.
- Distinctive wear on the sides of the tread indicates an under-inflated tire.
- Visible cupping on the tread indicates a worn-out shock absorber or suspension component gone bad. You can also feel the tire bouncing as you drive along.
- Feathering may not be visually apparent at all times but can be felt with your hands and feels like an individual tread is worn out on one side but not on the other. Feathering can be caused by repeated aggressive cornering or improper alignment settings.
- Flat spots are caused by a tire locking up and dragging. This can be common if your car doesn’t have ABS and you repeatedly brake hard or if there’s an issue with the braking system on one wheel, such as a stuck brake.
- Wear on one side of the tread indicates an alignment, ball joint, or suspension issue.
- Sidewall wear typically indicates a poor driving style, especially if you’re prone to parking your car right up against the curb and repeatedly rubbing the tires against it.
Don’t Forget to Rotate Your Tires
The tires on a vehicle wear at different rates. This is why the rotation of tires is essential. You should follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for rotating, including time or mileage intervals. You should also check if you have directional tires, as these can only be rotated between the front and rear on the same side of the vehicle. Rotating your tires ensures that wear patterns are equalized.
Maintain Proper Inflation Pressures
Poor inflation of tires is one of the leading causes of premature wear, damage, and blowouts. Maintain your tires at the manufacturer’s recommended pressures. You should periodically check your tire pressures every fortnight, which can be done with a portable hand-held gauge. Tire pressures should be checked in the morning when the tires are cold. If a tire is consistently losing pressure, there could be a puncture or other form of damage, and you should have it checked out as soon as possible.
Choose The Right Tires For Your Use
Choosing the right tires for your use, as well as weather conditions, is important. We’ve done an article on all-weather and all-season tires, and touched on winter tires as well. For tarmac use, there are high-performance tires, low rolling resistance tires, and all-terrain tires, which are a good compromise for tarmac as well as off-road scenarios. Picking the right tires for your use will ensure optimal tire life and the best blend of performance, capability, fuel efficiency, and comfort.
Tires And More From 4 Wheel Parts
At 4 Wheel Parts, you’ll find a wide variety of products across an extensive range of categories for everything off-road related. We’ve got thousands of products from hundreds of global manufacturers. Simply drop by one of our 100 stores scattered nationwide or hit up our website, where you can browse, compare, and purchase. We also offer a price matching policy, friendly expert advice, applicable warranties, and exceptional after-sales service.
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