Get the most out of your tires
Get the most out of your tires
Posted on August 18, 2023
Tires are a vital part of your vehicles as they're the only thing between you and the road. With that, they are a costly and essential repair. Follow these 5 easy maintenance tips to protect your tire investment and get the most out of your tires.
1. Pump it up
Tire pressure can seem like nothing, but it is actually a big deal when it comes to the longevity of your tires. According to the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada, 70% of vehicles have at least 1 tires with an inflation problem. Both underinflated and overinflated tires can cause them to wear quickly - on top of effecting your fuel economy and the handling of your vehicle. Much like a balloon, the air in your tires can be effected by the outside temperature so it is quick common to need a top up in the cold winter months.
Make sure to check your tire pressure at least once a month with a tire pressure gauge, especially after a long road trip. Not sure what your tires should be at? All vehicles comes with a tire information sticker placed on the driver door jam which will tell you the manufacturer recommended tire inflation for your vehicle.
2. Regular Tire Rotations
Did you know that your tires can wear differently depending on if they are placed in the front or rear of your vehicles? This is due to each axle having different amounts of force exerted in order to make your vehicle move.
To ensure an even wear on your tires, it is important to rotate them every 10,000km.
3. Wheel Alignment
When your vehicle's wheels are out of alignment, it causes uneven wear on your tire tread. It will cause things like:
- Feathered Edges - when the outside of the tread is thin and the inside is thick
- Cupping - Bald (no tread) patched throughout the tire
- Cupped edges - when one edge is is bald (no tread)
- Excessive wear - where one side has very little tread left while the other has lots of tread
It is important to have you alignment checked at least once a year or every 20,000km.
Note: if you alignment is off, it can also be an indication of other issues/repairs needed to your vehicle - ball joint, barring, control arm, etc.
4. Balance
When your vehicle's wheels are not balanced it can cause excessive noise and vibration while driving. It is no surprise that this can lead to uneven wear on your tire. How does this happen? This can happen overtime just with ever day driving. Things like hitting curbs, potholes, speedbumps or getting a tire repair can all cause your tires and wheels to become unbalanced.
It is recommended to get your tires balance with every tire rotation (every 10,000 km).
5. Match them up
Never only buy one tire. When you do this, it will effect the handling of your vehicle but more importantly it will also cause unnecessary wear and tear on other components like your tires.
When it's time to replace your tires, it is always recommended to buy all four tires at the same time. Since replacing your tires can sometime be a surprise, you should buy at least two tires and have them placed on the rear of your vehicle to give better traction on wet conditions.