Important Tips For Tire Care
The tires on your vehicle are both strong and vulnerable, and need to be cared for regularly. The following four steps will explain ways to help you give your tires a longer life, and to make sure you save money on your overall vehicle maintenance.
1. Keep a detailed record of the data related to your tires, and store it in your glove compartment.
Your tires all contain imprinted data. For example, one of the key references might be P235/75/R15.
This code is easy to translate. The first letter, P, refers to the type of tire on the vehicle. Tire types are referenced as follows: P = Passenger tire; LT = Light Truck tire; T = Temporary or spare tire. Then, "235" refers to the width of the tread surface, in millimeters.
The second number, in this example "75," is an aspect ratio and indicates the height of the sidewall in comparison to the tread. In other words, height of the sidewall of this tire is 75% of the 235.
The third number, here "R15," lets you know the type of tire it is, and the diameter of the rim, in inches. In this example, "R15" means the tire is a radial on a 15-inch rim.
2. Have your tires rotated on a regular basis.
The constant friction of tires on the road causes them to eventually wear out. Keep in mind that there are slight differences between every tire, which makes it important to have them rotated regularly. The owners manual for your vehicle will explain the recommended rotation pattern for your car, as well as how often the tires should be rotated.
3. Your tires should be checked and cleaned on a regular basis.
Checking tire pressure is the first step. A sticker located inside the door jamb of every vehicle lists the correct tire pressure that your tires should have when they are cold. Tires can wear out before their time if they are under-inflated or over-inflated. In addition, keeping your tires properly inflated will help you get better gas mileage.
Next, check out the tread wear on your tires. It's very important that the tread wear on the surface of each tire is even clear across the tread. Tires that show extensive wear in one particular part of the surface must be taken to a tire shop to be repaired.
4. If your tires are showing serious signs of wear and tear, they must be replaced.
Usually, vehicle owners replace tires whose treads are exceptionally worn. The recommendation from manufacturers for replacing tires says that 1/8th of an inch should be the average tread depth. The majority of the tires produced today are made with a built-in wear indicator. Another sure sign that your tires need to be replaced is when there is a straight line extending from side to side on the surface of the tread. And of course, if you get a puncture in your tire, you may have to replace it.
Remember to follow these simple tire care tips, to keep you and your family safe in your vehicle.
About the Author:
Bill McNeil is a former mechanic and self-proclaimed gear-head. To learn more about Mud Tires and ATV Mud Tires please visit our site.
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