A piece of advice that I've always taken to heart when
looking after a car was 'always look after your breaks and tires'. Sound advice
as these are obviously two of the most important pieces of safety equipment on
any vehicle, and are relatively inexpensive to care for.
To ensure that your tires are always in tip-top condition I suggest you check
your tire pressure regularly. It is important that tires are inflated to the
correct pressure to ensure the best grip on the road. Remember over-inflated
tires will wear more in the center of the tire, whereas under-inflated tires
have a tendency to wear more on the outside of the tire. Always check your tire
pressure before long trips and make sure the spare tire is in good condition and
properly inflated in case of an emergency.
It is also advisable to check
your vehicle owner's handbook for the correct tire pressure for your car in
different circumstances. For example, tire pressure can be different if carrying
heavy loads or towing trailers for example.
Always check for uneven wear
and tear of the tire. As stated previously it is important that the tire is
correctly inflated, but other causes of uneven wear include wheel alignment
issues. In these instances it is always advisable to have your local garage
check out the vehicle.
All tires have tire tread wear indicators, small
rubber markers in the tread to show you the minimum depth that your tires tread
should be. If you are nearing these markers, its time to replace the tires.
In general it's always advisable to slow down when going over pot-holes, or
try to avoid them if you can. This goes for curbs as well. This will help you
increase your tire's life, reduce the chance of disturbing the alignment of your
wheels and generally avoid accidental damage to the tires.
About the Author:
Ian Walsh
is the webmaster at
Mastercraft Tires, an information site for Mastercraft Tires and other tire
brands.
