Tire Maintenance and Service Tips
Your tires are one of the most important components of your car. Functional tires absorb road shocks and transmit braking and traction forces to the road surface. Tires take a lot of punishment on a daily basis and like everything else, wear out with time.
While you cannot prevent normal wear and tear, you can slow down the process by following these tips to maintain your tires.
Maintain Proper Tire Inflation Pressure
Tires can lose around one PSI of pressure every month. Underinflated tires pose safety risks. Underinflated tires can blow out while driving, causing you to panic and lose control.
Underinflation is the number one cause of premature tire deterioration. Underinflated tires can also negatively impact your car’s fuel efficiency. Overinflation is as detrimental to your tires as underinflation.
Check your tire pressure at least once every month to make sure they are inflated according to the manufacturer’s recommendation.
Never Overload Your Vehicle
Overloading your car is a recipe for disaster. Overloading will not just affect your car’s fuel efficiency but can cause your tires to fail.
Determine how much weight your vehicle can carry safely. You will find this information on the placard on your door frame. To reduce your car’s overall weight, replace heavier components with lighter alternatives.
Rotate, Balance, and Align Your Wheels Regularly
Lack of rotation and/or misalignment can cause tires to wear out prematurely. Worn-out or damaged tires are unable to absorb bumps and can affect ride quality. Rotate your tires every 5,000-8,000 miles. Many local stores offer lifetime free tire rotations to customers who buy tires from them.
Avoid Using Mismatched Tires
Mismatched tires can negatively impact your car’s handling and cause unnatural wear and tear on other tires.
Before installing a new tire on your car, check its load rating. Make sure the replacement has a load-bearing capacity equal to or more than what the manufacturer recommends.
Inspect Tires Regularly
Inspect your tires regularly for premature, abnormal, and irregular wear. Watch out for cracks and bulges. Look for nails, screws, shards of glass, stones and other objects that can puncture tires.
Grand Prix Performance
is a reputable tire shop in Orange County. We sell tires and offer a range of preventive car maintenance and repair services under one roof. To schedule an inspection, call 949-645-7022.