Take a moment and think of all the stress you put on your tires. They're in contact with thousands of miles of road a year. They're squealed, bounced, kicked, punctured, and taken off-roading. We rely on them to carry our cars, our cargo, and ourselves safely, and yet, how much do we really know about caring for our tires?
Not taking proper care of your tires can lead to accidents and auto insurance claims. Follow the tips on tire maintenance below to stay safe and secure on the road and keep your auto insurance rates low.
Tire type
It's important to know the type of tires your car requires. Your owner's manual should clue you in to your vehicle's tire needs. You should also choose tires based on the kind of weather you drive in (snow, ice, heavy rain, etc.), the types of loads you carry, and the kinds of terrain you drive on (dirt back roads, steep hills, etc.).
For example, tires with exceptional traction on water would be more useful to those living in Seattle than those in the deserts of Arizona. Similarly, tires made to carry heavy loads would be essential to truck owners, but ridiculous (even dangerous) on a sports car.
Maintenance
Traction check
Tire rotation is the best way to encourage even wear on your tires. It's recommended that tires be rotated every 6000 to 7500 miles. However, if you notice unusual wear, you should have your alignment checked along with your rotation.
Pressure check
It's important to know the correct air pressure of your tires and to check them frequently. You won't be able to tell the pressure of a tire just by looking at it, so make sure that you use a quality pressure gauge and check the tires when they're cold to guarantee accuracy. Most gas stations have self-service air tanks, but you'd be smart to keep your own air pressure gauge in your vehicle.
- Underinflation is the leading cause of tire damage and failure. It can cause defective wear, bad handling, and poor fuel economy
- Overinflation can lead to unusual wear, a bumpy ride, and bad handling
Proper care
You can control the usability of your tires by the way you drive:
- Follow speed limits
- Avoid fast starts and stops.
- Avoid hitting potholes, curbs, or other objects in the road.
- Avoid spinning your tires if you get stuck in mud, snow, or sand.
Tire replacement
There are several ways to determine if your tires need to be replaced:
- Bulges or splits
- Unfixable cuts or punctures
- Treadwear indicators can be seen in 3 or more places. These indicators are markings on your tire that appear when tread is worn down to 1/16".
- You can see cords or fabric showing through the rubber. This also includes any cuts or cracks in the sidewall or tread that may be deep enough to show these cords.
Blowouts and flats
No matter how safely you drive, the possibility of a flat on the highway is always real.
If you suspect your tire is damaged, put on your hazard lights and drive to the closest safe area away from traffic. Remember, your spare tire is a temporary solution — it's not meant to be driven on regularly. Plan to get your regular tire fixed right away.
You count on your tires to get around. Make sure you also get around town with the proper auto insurance coverage. Get a quote from Esurance for reliable, affordable auto insurance that you can count on.