Neglecting your tires is more severe than one may initially realize. In fact, one-tenth of all vehicle crashes are related to your tires, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Luckily for you, it's easy to ensure your tires are in great shape. INFINITI of Thousand Oaks has compiled a few top tips to make taking great care of your tires easy.
Keep an Eye on Your Treads
Treads are one of the most important attributes of your tires. The average tire needs to be at least 2/32 of an inch deep for it to get a solid grip on the road, according to our experts at INFINITI of Thousand Oaks. Without this depth, you won't get the handling and stability you were used to when the tires were brand new. An easy way to check is to stick a penny in the grooves. Your treads are in excellent condition if Abe's entire head is covered, but they need replacing if you can see his forehead. Who says pennies aren't useful?
Look at How Heavy Your Load Is
Every car is rated to carry up to a certain amount of weight, and so are its tires. You'll damage them in the long run if you're consistently hauling more than your tires are made to handle. Overloading your car makes your tires overheat, which destroys them. Read the owner's manual or call your mechanic if you're not sure what your load capacity is.
Rotate and Realign Them
Almost everyone's aware of this tip, but when was the last time you had your tires realigned? They need to be rotated every six to eight thousand miles to balance wear and tear. It's not difficult for your tires to become unaligned, especially if you're driving on rough roads or over potholes.
Properly Inflate Your Tires
Re-inflating your tires is just as crucial as realigning them. Driving with under-inflated tires increases your risk of getting into an accident by threefold. They lose pressure over time, so check on them once a month. Check your owner's manual for the proper PSI number your tires should be at.
Change All Tires at Once
Changing all of your tires is inevitable, but that doesn't mean you should skimp out when the time comes. Swapping two at a time can save you money, but it puts you at higher risk of a crash. Swapping out the front tires makes you prone to fishtailing on sharp turns. Replacing the back ones reduces your traction in wet weather. If you can only replace two tires, then you should do the rear ones.
Inspect for Damage
Check on your tires every couple of weeks or once a month to see how they're holding up. It only takes a minute of your time, and you'll get a better feel of when it's time to replace them. Get any deep punctures, cuts, and bulges taken care of by a professional when you spot them.
Taking care of your tires is easy once you make it a habit to check on them. Are you ready to put your knowledge to the test? Schedule an appointment or a test drive at your closest INFINITI of Thousand Oaks today.
