Are Your Tires Ready for Late Fall?
Getting your tires checked is a basic routine any vehicle owners should do. To ensure safety, tires need to be in good working condition at all times. If you are planning to travel, experiencing a tire problem can be an inconvenience.
You can get the most out of your tires with good maintenance which can even help improve fuel consumption. Keep in mind that the only point of contact your car has with the ground is your tires. Hence, it is essential that you learn about tire safety.
9 Tire Maintenance Tips for Fall Season
Autumn is not only the beginning of the cold season, but it is also the season for rain showers. If you have poor tire maintenance, it can lead to a flat tire or blowout, which can cause a vehicular accident.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 738 vehicular traffic fatalities related to tire issues in 2017. With proper tire maintenance, these crashes could have been prevented.
1. Check Tire Tread
Most vehicle owners cannot tell whether a tire is bald or normal. Thus, they end up driving with worn-out tires. This is risky considering that the fall season is accompanied by wet roads, fallen leaves, and the occasional heavy rains.
In order to prevent accidents, have your tires checked at any automobile shop that has the facility to test its tread. They would look into your tread indicator to help them gauge whether it's time to replace or tires or not.
2. Inspect Tire Pressure
Continuously checking your tire pressure is critical to your safety, especially when driving your vehicle during colder temperatures. Underinflated tires usually flex more as friction increases. This can lead to building up heat that can lead to tire failure and cause an accident.
The recommended tire pressure is between 32 psi to 35 psi. It is essential to get accurate readings as overinflation can also give you a bouncy ride.
3. Check Tire Sidewalls
The frequent friction between your vehicle’s tires and the road can lead to cuts and bulges, especially if you encounter unfriendly objects or potholes along the way. If you find such abnormalities, it is advisable to get your tire replaced. Driving a car with this kind of tire condition is not safe for you as it can burst at any moment.
4. Monitor your Tire Age
Your tires also have a lifespan, just like any other part of your vehicle. Although there are no specific guidelines on tire aging, many automobile and tire companies suggest replacing tires every six years.
Tires are exposed to many factors such as heat, underinflation, and weather conditions, causing them to deteriorate faster. To avoid getting stranded, it is crucial to at least get an annual tire inspection.
Also, it is not advisable to purchase used tires. If you are on a tight budget, there are auto shops that sell new tires that are inexpensive. Do not compromise your safety for cheaper tire products.
5. Maintain Wheel Alignment and Balance
Not many people know the importance of getting their wheels aligned and tires balanced. If you want to experience a smooth and comfortable ride, tire balancing can minimize road vibration, while wheel alignment ensures that the tires travel in a straight line.
By having your vehicle continuously undergo these services, these tire safety tips can help extend the lifespan of your tires. These also provide safety to you as a driver.
6. Replace Unidentical Tires
To ensure that your vehicle performs correctly, purchase tires that are identical in size to the original tire. This is because your tire specification is according to the built of your car. So, when you replace them, it is essential that the tire matches your vehicle.
Make sure to check that your dealer installs the new tires on the rear end of your vehicle. Since the new tires have deeper tread they can provide better-wet grip, especially during autumn and winter season when the ground is wet.
7. Be Considerate of the Load Capacity
Your tires have a load capacity. It is based on their load index. Thus, you should be mindful of the amount of weight that your vehicle has to carry. If the tires carry a load beyond their limit it can lead to tire destruction, damaging them before their average lifespan.
You can check with your dealer what your tire’s load index is. These tire tips can help save you expenses by avoiding replacing tires within a year.
8. Always Drive Cautiously
Driving at great speeds builds up heat to your tires. As a result, they have a greater chance of getting damaged easily.
High speeds can also cause rapid air loss. Sometimes it can even cause a tire to explode due to the friction it created to the road. It can result in the driver losing control of the vehicle.
Also, this is not advisable during wet weather, particularly during the fall season. Not only will the tire footprint increase, but decreased speed can also provide better traction. Plus, it is safer to drive slowly.
9. Check Your Spare Tire
Your spare tire serves as a back-up in case one of your tires gets damage. Hence, it is also crucial to check your spare tire and do an inspection for irregular wear.
Most vehicle owners think that just because the spare tire is safely tucked at the back of their car and not exposed to friction that they are okay. By the time they need them, they realize that their spare are damaged as well.
When you do a maintenance check for your four tires, do not forget to include your spare as well. They are very helpful in emergencies.
How you store tires is also crucial. Ensure that they are protected from weather conditions so that their quality is not affected.
Partnering with carsjunk for your Old Tires
If you have old cars with old tires, carsjunk can take care of that for you. Our clients are always assured of fast service when they partner with us. Plus, you get paid for your junk vehicles as well.
With carsjunk, we accept cars of any kind – whether it has body damage or not. Regardless of the condition, we can remove your car for you.
To learn more about exchanging your junk car for cash, contact us now!