Tires are so expensive!
Treat them right to encourage a long life (save $$$).
Take care of your tires in these seven simple steps.
1. Slow down.
Driving mistakes happen when you don’t pay attention.
You hit a speed-bump at a high speed on the way to work.
You drive over a curb because you made a turn too quickly.
You’re rushing to pick up your kids and run right into a pothole.
These little things add up to significant damage as time goes on.
Get in the habit of leaving at least ten minutes early — your tires will thank you.
2. Prioritize prevention.
Most people put off auto repair. They don’t follow the recommended maintenance schedule, because it sounds expensive.
That’s counterproductive. Taking care of your tires is a lot cheaper than buying new ones. Trust me. I’ve seen enough disappointed faces to know.
3. Check your tire pressure.
Under-inflated tires increases the odds of a traffic accident 3x according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Watch out in summer, because heat accelerates this process. Click here to learn how to check your tire pressure (it’s not as hard as you think!).
4. Get your tires rotated on time.
Check out your car owner’s manual. It should tell you how often to get your tires rotated. If it doesn’t, stick with the guideline of every 6,000-8,000 miles. Tires carry an unequal amount of weight. This can lead to uneven wear and tear. Timely tire rotations will spread the love (balance things out).
5. Make sure your wheels are properly aligned.
Alignment and rotation are quite similar. Rotations balance out tire wear. Alignment makes sure your wheels are in the right spot. If your car doesn’t move in a straight line (but instead drifts to the right or left), then you need to get your alignment checked out as soon as possible. Otherwise, a rotation should do the job.
6. Inspect your tread wear at least once a month.
A lot of auto blogs talk about the penny test, where you stick a coin into a tire’s tread and look to see if you can still see Abe’s head. That advice is out-dated. Most tires come with wear indicators. They look like bumps in between the treads of tire. If that area is worn, then it’s time for a replacement. Not sure? Ask a mechanic to check it out.
7. If you think it’s time for a replacement, talk to a mechanic.
Are tires cheap? Nope. Not at all. But that doesn’t matter. Safe drivers know vehicle ownership requires a budget. Take care of your tires by following the steps here. Your bank account will thank you later (promise!). Was this post helpful? If so, please share with your friends so they can be educated and empowered like you. Thanks! 🙂