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2013-05-07

Caring for Your Tires to Make Them Last



Most drivers tend to only think about their tires when they’re sitting on the side of the road with a flat, or when they find out that they need to get new tires, due to wear, tear, and the tread diminishing. That shouldn’t be the case, though. If you want to get the most out of your tires, you should follow some of these tips and tricks to extend the life of your tires.






Not only are these tips easy for you, as a driver, easy to do, but they will definitely help you get the most out of your tires. After all, tires are an extremely important aspect of your vehicle. If you don’t treat your tires the right way, they could leave you sitting on the side of the road with a flat, a hole, or several flats. And let’s be honest, nobody wants to be stuck on the side of the road either waiting for a tow or crouched down, putting their car up on the jack, and changing a flat tire.





Under Pressure

You should regularly check the pressure of your tires. If you drive with low tire pressure, or even if you have too much pressure, you run the risk of tire blowouts, as well as additional wear and tear, which doesn’t lead to a smooth ride for you.





Rotate

You should be sure that you are regularly rotating your tires. Most vehicle manufacturer’s recommend that you rotate your tires every 6,000 to 8,000 miles. To be safe, consult your vehicle manual to be sure. Also, many auto dealers will offer free tire rotations when you purchase tires.





A Clean Tire is a Happy Tire

Clean your tires and your wheels. While driving, you run over all sorts of items, from dirt and mud to rocks and salt. Clean out all that junk when every time you wash your car.





Alignment

Check the tire alignment. When your tire alignment is off, it makes your tires and wheels work harder, which will, in turn, reduce the life of your tires.





Safe Driving

Some people are aggressive drivers, others are super conservative, and many are smack-dab in the middle of the two. Your driving habits will directly impact the life and shape your tires are in. Also, if you drive on rough terrain, your tires will see more wear and tear.





Component Check

You want to be sure that you are regularly checking the components that work hand-in-hand with your wheels and tires. Make sure these components—shock absorbers, wheel bearings, and others—are free from problems. Problems with them can lead to additional wear and tear on your tires.


We all want a smooth ride while we’re driving and making sure that your tires in the best working order will aide you in that. Plus, who doesn’t want to save a little bit of money by not having to replace their tires as often?


Author Bio:
Paul is a freelance writer for Rafferty Subaru, a top Subaru Dealer Philadelphia sharing tips and tricks about the auto industry.