No one likes buying new tires they didn’t plan on buying. If you want to get the longest lifespan out of your tires, there are a few things you can do to increase the amount of time they stay on the road. Here are a few smart tips for keeping your tires in tip-top shape.
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Check Your Tire Pressures
Making a habit of checking your tires’ pressure at least once a month can do wonders for increasing their lifespan. Doing this ensures that your tires always have an appropriate amount of air pressure. Too low or too high a PSI can cause your tires to wear down faster and can put them at risk of blowing out.
If you’re not sure what PSI your tires should be inflated to, there might be a sticker on your car’s driver’s side doorframe. Look for it the next time you enter your car. Many new cars come with a tire pressure monitor that you can view through your driver information display or touch screen.
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Check Your Alignment
It’s recommended that you check your car’s alignment at least once a year. If your suspension is improperly aligned, your tires will wear down unevenly, which can cause strain on the other tires. If you run your tires into a curb or pothole, it would be in your best interest to have your alignment checked afterward to be sure the tires are still balanced and undamaged.
If you notice that your tires’ treads are being worn out diagonally, it’s likely time to take your car in for a realignment.
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Get Your Tires Rotated
Rotating your tires helps even out the wear and tear they experience. Depending on whether you have rear- or front-wheel drive, your driving habits, and how your car sits on its tires, one side of your tires may experience more wear and tear than its other side. Rotating them evens out this process over the whole tire, instead of keeping the wear on just one side until you have a blowout. It’s a good rule of thumb to have your tires rotated and rebalanced at least every 5,000 miles.
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Make Visual Inspections
It’s also a good idea to look at your tires once a week or once a month to search for any signs that their health is compromised. Inspect each tire for signs of uneven wear or too-low tread depth. Keep an eye out for anything that’s lodged in your tires, such as nails or glass.
Look at each tire’s sidewall for cracks or bubbling. If you find these signs, it’s probably time to invest in some new tires. If you see uneven wear and tear on your tires, you may need to have them rotated or realigned.
Find a mechanic you can trust to perform some of these labor-intensive tasks to ensure you’re getting the best bang for your buck. At Huffines Kia Corinth, our team of certified technicians prides themselves on helping you get the most out of your car and its tires.
Image via Kia.com | Cropped from original