Maintaining Your Tires

Proper tire maintenance involves three things: maintaining the correct air pressure, rotating the tires regularly, and keeping them properly balanced and aligned. Maintaining the correct tire pressure is very important. If a tire has too much air, the tread will wear prematurely in the center. On the other hand, if tire pressure is too low, a tire will wear excessively on the edges and fuel efficiency will be reduced.

Tires may lose a pound or more of pressure every month because of air bleeding through the rubber. So don’t assume that you can tell whether your tires are properly inflated by looking at their shape. According to the Rubber Manufacturers Association, “a tire can lose up to half of its air pressure and not appear to be flat!” Therefore, use a pressure gauge to monitor tire pressure, and do so at least once a month. Many vehicle owners keep a gauge in the glove compartment for convenient use. Always check your tires when you change the engine oil and only when the tires are cold—in other words, after they have been sitting for at least three hours or when they have been driven on for less than a mile. Tire pressure specifications are usually noted in the owner’s manual, on a label near the driver’s doorpost, or in the glove compartment. If you want to avoid a rough ride, do not inflate tires to the maximum pressure, which is molded on the sidewall.

Tires will last longer and wear more evenly if you rotate them on a regular basis. Unless your vehicle manufacturer recommends otherwise, it is good to rotate tires every 6,000 to 8,000 miles. Once again, check your owner’s manual for the suggested rotation pattern.

Finally, get your tire alignment checked annually or whenever you notice any unusual vibration or irregularity in your car’s steering. While the suspension system on your vehicle is designed to align the tires under varying loads, normal wear and tear makes it necessary to check and realign the tires periodically. An automotive service technician who is certified in suspension and wheel alignment should be able to keep your vehicle in accurate alignment, maximizing tire life and ride quality.

"Intelligent Tires"

With the aid of computers, some cars warn the driver when tire pressure is below safe limits. Some tires can operate safely for short periods without air pressure, and others seal themselves after a puncture. Indeed, engineers are designing tires for an ever-widening range of operating conditions.

As advances in materials, tread design, suspension, steering, and braking systems are applied to modern vehicles, tires make driving not only easier but safer.

Tire Maintenance Checklist
Visual checks:

• Are there bulges in the sidewall?

• Are wires showing in the tread surface?

• Is the tread depth within safe limits, or are the tires’ wear bars showing?

Also consider:

• Is the tire pressure set at the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended pressure?

• Is it time to rotate the tires? (Use the vehicle manufacturer’s suggested mileage interval and rotation pattern.)

• Should different tires be installed because of a change in seasons?

  

By: Shane Smith.  If you are looking for landscape or backyard lights then check out: http://makevoltz.com