7 Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Tires Working for Longer

Tires are expensive. But though you certainly can't avoid purchasing new tires when you need them, you may be able to help them last longer.

By maintaining your car tires and using them properly, you can reduce the amount of damage they experience over time.

Here are some basic tips to keep your tires working for longer!

1. Always keep your tires properly inflated.

Look on the side of your tire; it should tell you exactly what pressure it needs to be filled to. Invest in a tire pressure gauge and check your tires whenever you fill your car with gas. If your tires are running low at any time, you should inflate them. Properly filled tires will bend and deform less, reducing the amount of wear that they experience.

2. Empty out your vehicle.

Are you in the habit of keeping things in your trunk? Every pound of weight in your car makes your engine and your tires work harder. The less you're hauling, the longer your tires will last. Emptying out your trunk is a very easy way to improve their longevity.

3. Inspect your tires regularly.

Your wheels and tires are a critical part of keeping your vehicle moving safely down the road, and if they are old or beginning to wear there's a possibility, they can explode and cause an accident. Doing regular inspections doesn't take much time and can be done while filling up your tank. A few things to check for are:

●        Look at the tread to ensure there is still at least 4mm of thickness to ensure optimal safety.

●        Road debris can be another concern because if there are sharp objects in the tire, this can easily cause damage to the material

●        Any areas that may have damage like punctures, holes, cracks, or splits

●        Make sure your valve caps are in place and not missing

4. Change tires based on the season.

Tires are built to have different functions, and based on the time of the year; you may need different tires. There are both summer and winter tires, and they are designed differently to ensure they are meeting the needs of the various driving conditions that can occur. Using winter tires in the summer or summer tires in the winter can wear them down faster, so keep this in mind for maintenance.

You also want to keep your whole car protected and whether you are looking at tonneau covers for the bed or keeping your tires in great shape, storing them properly is a necessity, so here are some tips for tire storage.

●        Avoid getting contaminants like grease, gasoline, or other substances on the tire because they can break down the rubber.

●        Ensure that they are in a cool, clean, and dark location away from the sun.

●        Keep them off the ground and ensure they have a waterproof covering or are in a space where moisture will not build upon them.

5. Replace tires when needed and avoid mismatching them.

All parts will break down over time, and whether it is your leather seats or your tires, it's essential to ensure that you are replacing them when it's time for enhanced value and safety. Tires are designed with a material called wear bars inside of them, and when this starts to be exposed, it's time to replace them.

And because not all tires are created equally, you want to be sure that you are replacing the tires simultaneously. The mismatch can lead to uneven wear or possibly mechanical issues so consider this when doing maintenance like balancing and rotations.

6. Get your tires rotated.

Your tires should ideally be rotated every 5,000 miles. This will ensure that they wear smoothly. Otherwise, you can find yourself trapped in an endless cycle of replacing one tire or two tires at a time -- and tires are much more affordable when purchased in a set. While your tires are being rotated, you should also have them properly balanced and have your alignment checked.

7. Clean your tires thoroughly.

When many people clean their cars, they often skip their tires. But cleaning your tires is an important step -- especially if you use a tire-protecting solution. These solutions are designed to protect your car's tires against environmental issues, such as light and chemicals that may be on the road. If you often find your tires cracking at the sides, a tire-protecting solution may be the answer to your problems.

Most car tires are rated to a certain amount of mileage, but that doesn't mean they will last that long -- especially if they aren't properly cared for. If you aren't sure whether your tires need to be replaced, it's better to consult a professional before a blow-out or another issue occurs. Contact the experts at Mobile Install today to learn more.