Tires are your cars versions of your shoes. If theyre in bad shape, youre not going to get very far. Coping with bad tires is frustrating at the best of times, but when youre traveling farther than the corner store, it can be a nightmare. Fortunately, there are some very simple things you can do to make sure they last a great deal longer.
Proper maintenance for your tires is easier than you might think. It sounds harder than it actually is. Once you get used to preventing bad tires on a regular basis, you can ensure far better tire safety. At the same time, you can save yourself from preventable accidents and breakdowns and can save a fortune in repairs and tire replacements. These advantages are more than worth a few seconds of your time every couple of weeks or so.
In this effort, your tire gauge is your best friend. This will allow you to accurately measure the pressure within their tires, which is more important than many may realize. An average tire should have between 32 and 35 psi of air pressure, and drivers should check their tire pressure every month. Keeping the right air pressure will stretch the lifetime of a car tire and it will also affect the performance of the vehicle overall.
Under-inflated tires will make a vehicle more difficult to handle and will extend the braking distance of a car. Over-inflated tires are also a problem. There is a myth that tires with high pressure are better for fuel economy.
However, when your tires are over-inflated, their grip decreases. That can reduce your capability for safe driving and make for a more dangerous trip. At the same time, if you let your tire pressure get too low, youll hurt your fuel consumption.
Being under-inflated by even just 10 percent can cause you to pay an average of 4 percent more at the pump. It also shortens the lifespan of the tires by 30 percent when compared to one that has been tested with a tire gauge and properly inflated. This makes it easy to understand why this simple auto tool is a must for any driver.
Tire pressure is just one aspect to safe driving. Drivers are also encouraged to rotate their tires regularly. This should be done every 5,000 to 8,000 miles traveled. Ensuring that a tire’s tread is intact is also of vital importance. Tires with poor tread have lower durability and can lead to unintended accidents. Safe driving is as much about keeping your eyes on the road as it is about keeping a vehicle properly maintained.
When it comes to tire pressure, many people consider other issues to be more important. Most drivers are willing to check their tire pressure on a regular basis, but without their own tire gauge, this can be an inconvenient practice. Luckily, these tools are relatively inexpensive and come in a wide variety. If you want the most convenient option, check out a digital tire gauge with its greater speed and ease of use.
