For most people, side mirrors, seatbelts, and airbags come to mind when thinking of car safety features. However, these aren’t the only aspects that need inspection before. While all these things should be on the checklist, many car owners also fail to consider the importance of checking and changing tires.
Tires are essential to your car’s safety. You’d want to ensure that they have enough air, are not worn down, and are sturdy enough to hold the vehicle’s weight, especially since they are the only part that makes contact with the road.
In the same manner that you wear quality shoes on your feet for walking or running, you’d want your car’s tires to fit seamlessly, stay in top condition, and function at their best while traveling long distances. Equally important is knowing when to replace tires.
Many vehicle owners often have no idea of their tire’s current condition, which could be highly detrimental to your car’s performance. Wrong-sized, poorly inflated, worn out, or malfunctioning tires are some common issues that could compromise your safety while hitting the road.
In addition, an unexpected flat tire can abruptly inconvenience your trip, whether driving across town or heading to the next city. With simple preventative maintenance and safety measures, you might be able to help avoid flat or blown-out tires. This article will discuss ways to keep your car tires in good working order, focusing on preventing flat tires.
Top 5 Ways to Help Prevent Flat Tires
Unavoidable flat tires often strike at the most unexpected and inconvenient times. However, you can take measures to reduce the likelihood of this happening. Moreover, regular maintenance and upkeep of your tires mitigate the risk of getting hurt or losing control of your vehicle. The list below will help you avoid flat tires and give you the best tips to handle it, should it ever happen to you:
1. Routinely monitor the tire pressure
Low tire pressure can be risky, making stopping harder for vehicles and steering and handling less responsive. Under-inflated tires can also lead to decreased fuel efficiency and long-term tire damage. To determine the precise tire pressure for your vehicle, consult the car owner’s handbook for all the information you require regarding tire inflation.
Ensure that you take the time to check your car’s tire pressure at least once a month, especially before a long drive. You can expect a higher pressure reading after a recent drive or when your tires get hot.
However, if your car’s been at rest for a while, inspect your tires to ensure they’re not hot. High temperatures affect your tire pressure and can cause a blowout. See to it that you adhere to the vehicle manual’s tire-related instructions.
2. Keep your tires well-inflated
Air pressure can change due to shifts in temperature, and this can have an impact on your car’s tires. Have your tires inflated to the proper pressure, as driving on tires with too much air can be uncomfortable to deal with, and tires with too little air wear faster, lose tread, and require more gasoline. Consult the recommendations provided by the vehicle’s manufacturer if you’re unsure of the recommended tire pressure.
3. Stray away from road hazards
Try to choose different routes if you know you’ll be driving close to active construction zones or poorly maintained roads, even though sometimes it’s inevitable. Nails, glass, potholes, sharp rocks, and metal fragments can cause punctures and leave you with a flat tire. Hitting a bump can also damage your car’s wheels, tires, and other components, so maintain a safe speed to avoid accidents.
Hitting obstacles like holes or other road debris can cause fractures or bulges in your tire. Your tires may be prone to more damage if they don’t have enough air during the impact. Remember to replace any tires that have cracks or bulges. Using the best tires for slippery roads will also promote safety and minimize risks of damage.
4. Refrain from overloading your vehicle
Each car has an indicated maximum capacity. You can use this as a guide to ensure your car isn’t overloaded. Failing to implement the maximum weight your vehicle can withstand can affect its performance. Remember that overloading a car could damage the tires.
Carrying a hefty load entails increasing your tire pressure so your car can sustain the overall weight. Provided you inflate them to the recommended maximum pressure, you can check how much weight your tires can take by looking at the labels on the side of each tire.
5. Rotate your tires as needed
It is crucial to rotate your tires as necessary. You can achieve this by repositioning the tires from side to side or front to back. Tire rotation can also help maintain traction, preserve balanced handling, extend tire durability, and even out tire wear and tear. Allowing each tire to work in all four positions of the vehicle promotes even wear across the tire tread pattern.
Check Your Tires and Drive Safely
Although you can’t know when a flat tire will happen, you can use these tips to reduce your risk of experiencing one. Ensuring regular maintenance can reinforce your car’s capacity and keep it in good working condition. Additionally, you can prevent unexpected occurrences of flat tires from happening by staying away from locations that could be problematic, such as construction zones.
Proper car preparation is vital in keeping a well-working automobile. Shop visits aren’t limited to specific car issues. Frequent maintenance lengthens your car’s lifespan as it prevents future problems.
Furthermore, as a driver, you’re given the necessary information to care for your vehicle in your own way. Providing the proper tire pressure, implementing the maximum load, replacing old tires, and steering away from road hazards are just a few simple things you can do to significantly extend your automobile’s life.
For your safety and that of your vehicle, it is vital to regularly inspect your tires to ensure they are in good condition. These strategies should make your tires endure longer and prevent damage.