Any vehicle specialist or enthusiast will agree when it comes to the importance of having good tires and maintaining them regularly. Your tires are largely responsible for keeping you safe on the road and they require frequent inspection. One of the best times to check your tires is when a change of season is upon you. Here are some steps to follow this spring to make sure that your tires are in their best condition.
Change Winter for Summer Tires
Winter tires are designed to help you safely navigate the roads during snow and icy periods. They offer additional traction and they will help prevent your car from sliding along the road. In some conditions, weather chains are needed. However, in most city settings, winter tires are all you need during these few months of the year. Once winter is over, however, you should have these tires removed and have your summer tires fitted. Before you have them fitted, there are a few points that you will need to consider. These points are listed below.
Tread Depth
If you don’t have sufficient tread on your tires, they will not offer enough grip on the roads – it’s as simple as that. You can use a tread gauge to measure how much tread you have left. This is the kind of tool that is a worthwhile investment since you will need it on a regular basis. If you don’t have one, your tire specialist will or you can use a quarter to determine whether or not there is sufficient tread left. It is best to have tires replaced once the tread is low. Not only will you experience a decrease in handling, but you will also run the risk of a blow out. If you hit a pothole and your tires have minimal tread, it can have more devastating results than it would under normal circumstances. For your safety and that of your passengers and fellow road users, have your tires changed promptly and by a trained professional.
Wear and Tear
Whether driving at 20km/hour or 100km/hour, your tires will experience wear and tear. As the rubber comes into contact with the road, it will start to wear down. The weight to the car adds to this wear and, if you use your car to transport goods on a regular basis, the extra weight means that your tires will need to be replaced more often. Other factors like wheel alignment and balancing are also essential. Without them, you will experience uneven tire wear which can result in a blow out or, at the very least, affect the handling of the vehicle. If your wheel alignment is off, even if you don’t need to have your tires changed, you should have it taken care of immediately. Remember, hitting bumps like potholes can cause wheel alignment issues and it can happen to anyone so check your alignment regularly.
Tire Pressure
After inspecting and changing your tires, it’s time to check the tire pressure. If you are not sure about the recommended tire pressure for your vehicle, you should consult your owner’s manual. Remember, recommended tire pressures vary based on the weather. If your tires are overinflated, it can result in a blow out. Under inflated tires will increase wear and tear as well as negatively affect fuel consumption. Apart from checking tire pressure when your tires are changed, you should check it regularly. In fact, before starting your vehicle, you should walk around the car to check your tires for any significant loss of pressure or damage.
Some types of damage can be safely repaired. For example, punctures can be repaired in most cases. Cracked tire walls, however, are a significant risk and you should have your tires replaced. For speedy mobile tire repairs and tire replacements, contact Tire Change at (647) 745-0930.