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Wheels and Tires:
4 things you can start doing today to extend the life of your tires!
In 2000, Firestone initiated a tire recall after police linked 119 traffic deaths to unsafe tires. The recall caused some people to pay more attention to tire maintenance, but a study commissioned by the Rubber Manufacturers Association found that a majority of drivers bypass routine tire maintenance. There are four quick and easy ways to care for your wheels and tires that will save you money in wear and tear and possibly even save your life.
Wheels
 To most people, clean wheels are purely cosmetic. However, a little scrub now and then can save you money in the future. Road grime and brake dust not only make rims and hubcaps look dull, but these substances are also corrosive to aluminum or alloy wheels. Manufacturers often use a clear coat of paint for protection, so make sure to choose a nonabrasive spray or polish on your wheels.
Tires: 4 easy steps to ensure that your tires are safe:
Proper tire maintenance is a critical step you can take to protect your vehicle and those you love. Severely worn or damaged tires are a real hazard to all drivers. Something as simple as keeping your vehicle's tires properly inflated can increase fuel economy and save you money each time you drive. Maintaining proper tire pressure its literally money in the bank! Follow these four tips for better fuel economy and safer driving.
1.Check your tires at least once a month with a tire pressure gauge.
 In a Rubber Manufacturers Association consumer survey, an amazing 55 percent said they didn’t know where to find the proper tire pressure rating. You can find the rating in the owner’s manual and on the driver’s doorpost, fuel door or glove box. Tire pressure gauges are inexpensive, and many gas stations offer free air if you need a refill. Keep in mind that tires use small amounts of air and will periodically need refilling. In addition, while you’re at it, make sure to check the pressure in the spare tire. You never know when you’ll need it.
2.Rotate tires every 6,000 miles, or once every other oil change.
Rotating tires is a good way to prevent abnormal tire wear; however, according to the survey, 72 percent didn’t know that it should be done once every 6,000 miles. Personal driving habits can affect tire wear, but so can the tire’s position on the car.  Front and rear tires wear differently because of the different forces that act on them when cornering. Front tires wear faster on front-wheel drive cars and vice versa for rear-wheel drive vehicles.
The type of wear is important to consider when rotating your wheels. Patterns can vary, but the most important factor is that you rotate tires in all applicable wheel positions, including the full-size spare tire, if you have one.
Before you begin your routine, check to see if you have any
unidirectional tires. These tires must always roll in the same direction, so don’t switch them from the left side of the car to the right. The sidewall will indicate which direction the tire should roll by using arrows or the word “rotation.”
3.Check the tread depth when you rotate your tires.
It is always a good idea to see how fast your treads are wearing down.  You can check this with a tread depth gauge or a penny. To check depth with a penny, slide the penny, Lincoln’s head first, into several tread grooves.
If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, the tire has less than 1/16” tread left and should be replaced immediately. You can check snow tires the same way with the other side of the penny. If you can see the top of the Lincoln Memorial, you need new tires.
4.Make sure your wheels are properly balanced and aligned.
Don’t wait until your car starts acting up to take it to the shop. Many tire stores offer inexpensive packages with routine balancing and alignment check-ups.
*Following these four easy tips will increase safety while reducing the likelihood of costly emergency roadside assistance or unplanned repairs. |
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Article Pages
1. An Introduction to Wheels and Tires
2. Tires
3. Learning To Read Your Tires
4. Manipulating The System
5. Valves
6. Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS)
7. Tire Inspection
8. Tire Wear Guide
9. Tire Rotation
10. Wheel Assembly
11. Wheel And Rim Construction
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-> New Tires Guide
-> Tire Safety Tips
-> What Does It Mean When My Wheels Are Imbalanced?
-> Wheel Balancing
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