Tire Maintenance 101: Pro Tips for Extending the Life of Your Tires
We pay attention to mileage, colour, look, and so on, but tires are never paid attention to. But, tires form the foundation of your vehicle. They are shielded by wheels. If you don’t maintain this shield, you will face issues. Maintaining your tire can prevent many issues like excessive energy consumption, frequent punctures, blowouts, and tears.
In the next section, we have highlighted the top 9 tips to help you prolong your tire life. By following these tips religiously, you can save big.
9 Tips To Extending Your Tyre's Life
1. Air Pressure
Maintaining the right tire pressure is a simple yet powerful way to make your tires last longer by reducing wear and improving fuel efficiency.
Make it a monthly habit, preferably in the morning before hitting the road. Get a reliable tire pressure gauge and find the recommended pressure in your car’s manual or on the driver-side door.
Insufficient air in your tires doesn't just harm fuel efficiency; it also speeds up tire wear, increasing the risk of a potentially dangerous blowout. Likewise, when your tires are overinflated, the negative consequences go beyond fuel efficiency, leading to a shorter lifespan for your tires. Maintaining the optimal tire pressure is essential to ensure both safety and longevity.
Since 2007, most vehicles have Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS). If your cars have TPMS, ensure your service centre knows how to handle it.
2. Tread Depth
Maintaining the correct tread depth is important for keeping your car safe on the road. You can quickly check it using the “Quarter Test” or “Penny Test.” Stick a quarter into the lowest part of the tread, and if you see the top of George Washington’s head, it means the tread is at or below 4/32”, and it's a sign that you should replace the tires.
As you drive, the tread naturally wears down, and the legal minimum is 2/32”. Mechanics at Tire.ae usually suggest changing tires when the depth goes below 4/32” to ensure your driving stays safe and smooth. Regular checks and timely replacements keep your driving experience top-notch.
3. Maintaining Traction and Control
Keeping your car steady on the road is super significant for your safety, and that's where having good traction and control comes in. Think of your tires as the go-between connecting your car and the road. It's more than just having sufficient tire tread and the correct air pressure; it's about ensuring your tires can grip the road effectively.
When you regularly care for your tires, it's not just about extending their lifespan; it's about ensuring your car responds precisely as you want it to while driving. This becomes crucial, especially in challenging weather conditions.
Thus, maintaining your tires isn't solely about keeping them in good shape; it's about enhancing the safety of your drives every time you venture onto the road.
4. Wheel Alignment
Ensuring your car’s wheels are in line is super important for how your tires wear and handle. It's like making sure all your tires are marching in the same direction. Getting regular wheel alignments is like giving your car’s steering system a check-up, ensuring everything points where it should. This doesn't just help your tires wear evenly; it also takes off any extra stress, making them last longer.
When your wheels aren't in line, it's like your car is trying to go in different directions, which can be a bit tricky. But with regular alignments, you are not just looking out for your tires; you are also making sure that your car drives smoothly and makes your ride safe.
5. Tire Rotation
Making sure your tires get a regular rotation is important. It's like allowing each tire to change places on your car so they all wear out evenly. This helps your tires last longer and makes your car work better. You can find out how to do this for your car in the manual or visit Tire.ae.
Think of it like a little checkup for your tires, ensuring they wear evenly and keeping you worry-free on the road. Most cars should have their tires rotated every 5000–7000 miles or whenever you get an oil change. Fixing any issue early can save you money and keep your drives safer.
6. Choose the right set of tyres
Picking the right tires for your car is like finding the perfect shoes. Just as shoes match specific activities, tires have features for different driving conditions and personal choices. Think about where you usually drive - city, highway or off-road. If you face tricky weather, look for tires that grip well.
Think about how you like to drive - do you want a quiet, smooth ride or enjoy a sportier, high-performance feel? Look up reviews or ask experts at Tire.ae for advice to help youbuy tyres online in the UAE. This way, you can make intelligent choices that match how you like to drive, ensuring your car feels just the way you want it to on the road.
7. Evaluate your driving style
Can driving style affect tyre life? The answer is yes! Every driver has their driving style. While some will drive patiently, others will through the traffic like speed demons. Some will not care about hitting curbs and so on. However, even little changes in your driving style can make a significant difference. Here’s how
- Hard braking - Avoid hard braking as it increases friction between the road and tyre, which can heat tyre rubber and damage the treads
- Acceleration - Normal roads are not racetracks. Unlike racetracks, public roads are rough and full of gravel pebbles. Accelerating hard on such roads can damage your rubber and thin out treads.
- Avoid hitting curbs - Hitting curbs can significantly damage your tire's sidewalls and impact vehicle handling.
- Driving at high speed on uneven surfaces - High speed for a prolonged time can heat up tyre rubber, which can cause cracks in the rubber and lead to blowouts.
8. Have proper tyre storage
To extend a spare tire's life, storing them in a cool, dry place without exposing them to sunlight is essential. This is because the tire can oxidize due to external environmental factors like moisture, dust, and sunlight.
Make it a habit to rotate your tyre periodically to prevent one spot and flattening of rubber. You should also occasionally take your car to drive if you are not a regular driver.
9. Avoid vehicle overload
All the vehicles come with maximum load guidelines. This is done to protect your tire. When you exceed the maximum load capacity, your vehicle can exert pressure on car tyres, leading to excessive friction.
Excessive friction is dangerous as it can increase tire pressure, increase tire wear, weaken the tire structure, and lead to a blowout. There’s also a chance that the vehicle will have uneven distribution, which indirectly affects tyres and handling capacity. So, avoid overloading your vehicle and even distribute the weight for longer tyre life.
10. Prevent dry rot
Have you ever touched your tyre rubber to find cracks and split in the tyre wall? It's called dry rot and can lead to heavy damage. Although there’s no way to prevent it, you can slow it down by following simple habits. Always park your car under shade away from direct sunlight, as ozone and UV are major causes of dry rot.
Conclusion
Think of maintenance as a health routine. Daily maintenance can save your car and tire from ending up in a bad state. If you want to invest in premium tyres, Tire.ae is the premium destination to buy tires online in Dubai. We have a huge catalog of premium tyre brands like Pirelli, Michelin, BF Goodrich with competitive prices. Explore it today.
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