Your car’s tyres are some of its most important components. For one, you won’t be able to drive without them; the handling quality, braking power, ride comfort, and fuel economy of your car are also affected by the state of your tyres.
In short, you need to keep your tyres in good shape so your driving experience will be as safe and pleasant as possible. Here are some maintenance tips to keep in mind:
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Don’t Drive Too Fast or Brake Too Hard
One of the best things you can do to make your tyres last longer is to drive mindfully. As much as possible, don’t drive too fast, accelerate too suddenly, or brake too hard. Doing all of these wears down the rubber much faster because of the extra friction and pressure.
Keep Your Tyres Properly Inflated
When you drive with over- or underinflated tyres, you’re shortening the lifespan of your tyres. You also increase the risk of a blowout. Other issues you may encounter with the wrong air pressure in your tyres include poor handling and an increased braking distance.
To ensure that your tyres are always properly inflated, make it a habit to check the psi at least once per month. It’s a good idea to get a tyre pressure monitor from a reliable car parts and accessories supplier. This way, you don’t have to go to the mechanic every time you need to do a cursory inspection.
Aside from monthly tyre pressure checks, you should also perform additional monitoring during extremely hot and cold weather. The heat can increase tyre air pressure, while the cold can lower it. Once you see the numbers, inflate or deflate as necessary.
Speaking of numbers, the correct psi for your tyres should be indicated on a sticker on the inside of the driver-side door. Note that the pressure may sometimes be different for the front to compensate for things like the weight of the engine
You should also remember that the number on the side of the tyres is the maximum cold psi of the tyre itself and not specifically for your vehicle. Never go above this number, but don’t use it as the “correct” one either. When in doubt, always check your owner’s manual.
Rotate Your Tyres Regularly
You may not realize it, but your tires can significantly affect your vehicle's fuel efficiency. Wondering how new tires save gas mileage? Simply put, when your tires are in top-notch condition, with even treads and proper inflation, they cause less friction with the road. This means your engine doesn't have to work as hard to keep your car moving, leading to lower fuel consumption.
As such, it’s recommended to rotate your tires every 6 months or after 12,000 kilometers, whichever comes first. However, if you often drive long distances or haul heavy cargo, you may need to rotate the tires more frequently.
If you have the right equipment and skills, you can rotate the tyres yourself. Make sure to include the matching full-size spare tyre (but NOT a temporary spare tyre) in the rotation and follow the directional tread pattern. If you’re unsure how to rotate them, take your car to the dealer or your trusted mechanic.
Have Your Wheels Balanced and Aligned
When you bring your car to the Minnesota Mercedes mechanic (or your chosen mechanic in your specific location) for a tire rotation, it’s also the perfect time to have your wheel balanced. This ensures that the weight of the wheels and tires is properly distributed, minimizing vibrations for ride comfort. With balanced wheels, you can also ensure even tire wear.
Meanwhile, you should have your wheels aligned every 20,000 kilometers. When you drive over potholes and similar road hazards, the accumulated impact over time can knock your wheels and tires askew. This can result in an unpleasant, bumpy driving experience.
With your wheels properly aligned, your tires will last longer. Your vehicle will also feel easier and lighter to handle.
Check the Treads
To know when it’s time to replace your tyres, check your treads; the ideal depth is about 2 to 3 millimetres. You can get a tread depth gauge, but do note that most tyres come with a built-in marker. Check the manual or instructions for the tyres to correctly interpret this tread depth indicator.
You should also conduct regular inspections to check for physical indicators of wear and damage. If there are any small objects stuck in the grooves, like pebbles, for example, remove them carefully. However, if something went through the rubber, leave them in and bring your car to a garage.
Replace Your Tyres All at Once
Last but not least, make sure to replace your tyres all at once when you need to do so. You can save a bit of money by getting new tyres one at a time, but this will actually cost you more in the long run. This is because mismatched tyres usually wear down much faster.
Of course, don’t forget to get a matching tyre! If you’ve been rotating your tyres regularly, you can expect them to wear down at the same rate.
With these simple maintenance tips, your tyres will last longer and ensure the best driving experience. As a bonus, you’ll also save quite a bit of money!
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