We’ll be the first to admit, tires aren’t cheap. To get the most out of your tires—maximum mileage, safety and wear—you’ll need to properly maintain them. (With the help from your Northern Virginia based Wiygul Automotive Clinic, we hope!)
Here are 4 tips to keep your tires properly maintained:
1) Rotate your tires –Steering, braking, and engine weight (in front-engine vehicles) all cause front tires to wear out more quickly than the rears. If your vehicle has FWD, the additional weight and driving force of the drive axle will accelerate wear even faster. It is recommended to have your tires rotated every 5,000-8,000 miles.
2) Balance your tires – Wheel balancing promotes a smooth ride, better fuel efficiency and even tire wear. A wheel balance should be done every 6,000 to 8,000 miles. If you notice any of these issues, it could mean your tires need to be balanced:
Vibrations when driving
Uneven tread wear
Shaking steering wheel
Rough handling at highway speeds
3) Check your tire pressure – Keeping your tires properly inflated will help them wear evenly, which prolongs their life and can improve your vehicle’s fuel economy. Both overinflated and underinflated tires can cause tires to wear faster, as well as adversely affect vehicle handling and fuel economy. We recommend checking your tire pressure on a monthly basis, and once the weather gets cold (cold temperatures will make your tire pressure drop). Your vehicle manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure can be found on a label inside the driver's door or in the vehicle owner's manual.
Helpful tip: Remember that tire pressure should be checked when the tires are "cold," which means when your car hasn't been driven for at least three hours
4) Maintain proper alignment – Properly aligned wheels provide safe driving, better steering control, increased fuel economy and longer tire life. Misaligned wheels can cause:
Pulling or drifting of your vehicle to one side
Shaking of the steering wheel
Difficulty steering or turning
Reduced fuel economy
Poor tire wear
Tire maintenance is a crucial part of taking care of your vehicle. Not only will it allow you to get the most mileage out of your tires, but properly functioning tires = safe tires! At Wiygul Automotive Clinic, we are dedicated to keeping you safe on the road. Stop in to any of our 8 convenient locations and we’ll be more than happy to help maintain your tires on a regular basis!
