Jersey Guy Automotive OLD

You Won't Make It Far on a Bad Tire

By Alex B. - Jersey Guy Automotive

Serving as your primary contact with the pavement, you heavily rely on your tires on all drives, from the shortest trip to the longest. They're also one of the most vulnerable components to your car, vulnerable to any of the jagged or pointy hazards lining the asphalt. It's hard enough to see squirrels that dart by, let alone a stray nail or piece of debris. Not to mention the damage received from all of the curbs driven onto or rubbed against. While your tires are made to take a beating, the proper care and maintenance are necessary to keep you going. It doesn't matter if you are a brand new driver or have been driving for decades, everyone should understand your tire's basics.

Now, we're not going to go into the tire's rich history or milestones… We're more concerned with helping you learn what you need to know to keep yourself safe. It can be surprising how such a minor component of your car can affect your day so drastically. Consider this though; think of how much time can be wasted by waiting for a tow truck, getting the spare on, or even getting it replaced. Not to mention the costs, tires are not cheap! What's worse is the damage that you car can suffer from when driving on bad tires. Under-inflation (which is common in neglected tires) are the leading cause for tire-related crashes. As it effects your fuel consumption and handling it can also create tread wear on the inside of tires or vice versa.

Basics For Smooth Driving

Taking a few minutes here and there to check your tires today can save you hours later on. There are also instances where your tire can be suffering from damage that you can't even see! It's important to use the tips below to keep the air in your tires and everything in place.

Each month… (at least) check the tire pressures in all of the wheels. Especially if we've had cold weather through the week, it's important to confirm all of the tires are holding the right amount of air, and are properly inflated. Cold weather will cause the air within your tire to contract, requiring more air to fill it. Typically if you are losing about 1 PSI per month or for every 8-degree loss in surrounding temperature, you have nothing to worry about. Any more than that can be caused by damage, so it's important to also…

Inspect your tires weekly. Staying adamant about your tires' appearance will help you catch potential problems before they get worse. It's always a good idea to just quickly survey your tires (especially before long trips) and make sure there's no flat areas, leaks, items stuck in the tread and more. Just because a nail is stuck in there today doesn't mean it's staying there! Run your hand along the tread to help you feel for nails, rips, and cracks. Also look make sure there are no random spots of uneven wear, which can be caused from other components rubbing against the tire. Making sure your valve stems and caps are all in one piece are just as important!

Follow your owner's manual with tire rotation. While it's hard to give a general approximation for tire rotation, people typically get this service every 6,000 miles. Before following this schedule, check your vehicle's manual to confirm that is what it requires. This will extend the life of the treads while keeping every tire even in tread wear. Your front tires usually get worn much faster than the back pair, so it's good to rotate them to keep them all even.

Make sure the rest of your car's components are working properly. There are instances where misalignment, faulty tie rods, and steering issues can directly affect your tire's state. Faulty tie rods can actually create wear inside of the tire out of view. That's why it's always important to check your tire's treads and wear frequently.

Don't over-inflate your tires! While underinflated tires can cause accidents, over-inflated tires can also lead to tire failure. Putting too much air into your tires can increase wear and reduce the tire's overall life as the structural integrity is being compromised.

Burning rubber is a bad call. Heat is not a tire's friend. Not only does it make tires smell bad, but it also will shorten the tire's life. Just like over-inflation, overheated tires affect the tread and structural integrity. Avoid driving aggressively, taking turns sharp and fast, and stopping short. Any of the former mentioned driving styles combined with external warm temperatures will drastically affect your tire's efficiency.

Don't procrastinate on replacing tires, try to time it correctly. Even if you get the same tire size, different tire brands and conditions can cause many issues with the handling and balance. When replacing tires, try to do at least two at a time (all if you can) and don't procrastinate. Your safety relies on your car's current state. If you delay the tire replacement process you are then you and your family's well-being will be in question every time you go for a drive.

Always have leaks checked by professionals. Just because you think it's just a nail sticking out causing a leak or a small exterior crack keeping your tire under-inflated, let a professional check it out. Take a look at the images on the top right for an idea why. What's even more surprising is that this is a Run-Flat tire, one that will remain drive-able for up to 100 miles at average speeds. While it just looked like a simple plug job on the outside, the inside of the tire tells a different story…

I would hope that all of these tips and pieces of advice at least sound logical to you. As we've said before, you can't just expect your car to stay running as well as it did when you bought it, if you don't put the amount of time and work into it. Keeping your car well maintained will not only save you money but help you ensure your family's safety and most importantly, keeps you moving! To learn about how we can keep your tires in their best shape check out our Tires and Wheels page!