Providing your car with good maintenance will not only make it last longer but will save you money in the long run. Although every car is different and model-specific, one of the things they all have in common is that they need good tires to make them go. Taking care of your tires will provide you with a good ride and save you money. Here are some helpful tips on how to make tires last and save you money.
Proper Inflation
Although keeping your tires properly inflated is such a simple tip, it’s probably the one thing that most car owners neglect the most. As long as the tires are still doing their job, they too often get taken for granted. You’ll find the manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure either on the sticker on the door jamb or in the owner’s manual. Follow these recommendations. Hot weather, cold weather and just sitting idly for extended periods are all things that can affect tire pressure. Using a good quality tire pressure gauge, check the tire pressure at least once a month, if not every time you gas up. It will add life to your tires and give you bet gas mileage.
Rotate and Balance
Don’t make the mistake of buying new tires and forgetting about them. To get the maximum life out of your tires and get the best possible ride, tires need to be rotated and balanced at least every 5,000 to 7,000 miles. Many businesses will do it free if you purchased the tires from them. If time is an issue, arrange to have it done every time you have your oil changed. The front tires typically wear out faster than the rear tires, so regularly rotating and balancing them will give you even wear and tear.
Tire Alignment
It’s unfortunate, but many people don’t have a tire alignment done until their mechanic recommends it because of another ongoing problem such as bad ball joints, wheel bearings, etc. Often having your tires aligned can prevent these other problems from developing. Schedule a wheel alignment at least once a year. A sure sign that your tires need aligning is your car steering more towards one side or the other rather than driving straight.
Drive Responsibly
Yes, how you drive really does play a part in how long your tires last and how they perform for you. Avoid quick starts and last-minute stops that require screeching of tires. While it may look fun it action-packed movies, it’s not good for your tires. In addition, avoid driving on rough roads, unpaved roads or going over large pot holes.
Recycle Old Tires
Despite the good care you may give your tires, the time will come when they simply are no longer functional and need to be replaced. There are many recycling companies, particularly in larger cities, which will take your tires and recycle them into usable products. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), about seven million tires are punched into new products annually, and fifty-six million are used in civil engineering projects, and these are just a couple of examples.
However, you may also want to keep the tires and use them for projects right at home. With a little innovative and creative thinking, you can find a lot of uses for old tires, while also saving you money. Some examples of what you can use old tires for include swings for the kids, outdoor or indoor planters, homemade jungle gym and bird feeders, among others.
Maintaining your tires is a necessity for the best possible ride and will also save you money. Once they’ve reached their life span, recycling them saves you money and helps the environment. It’s a win-win situation.