Be Smart With Cars

A tire's typical life isn't a charmed one. Potholes, curbs, everyday weather and age can do a number on a tire's longevity. The average car tire offers up to 80,000 miles of tread life, but that's no guarantee given the numerous factors surrounding how long a tire lasts. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to give your tires a slightly longer lease on life.

Keep On Eye On Air Pressures

The majority of tire problems often stem from underinflation. Underinflated tires create unnecessary friction while adding unnecessary stress to the sidewalls, causing both internal and external damage to the tire while reducing its lifespan. Even a high-quality tire can have its life cut short through underinflation.

To prevent underinflation, you should always make sure your tires are properly inflated at the correct levels. Not only does it extend your tire's working life, but it also provides a small increase in fuel efficiency. Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind:

• Always check tire pressures while the tire is cool. Hot air expands, making it difficult to bring your tires to the correct air pressure.
• Inflate your tires to the recommended level listed in your owner's manual or on the tire placard located on the driver's side door edge, door post or glove box.
• Never inflate your tire to the maximum level listed on the sidewall.

Rotate Your Tires As Recommended

Your car's front and rear tires will wear at different rates, depending on whether your car is driven by the front wheels, rear wheels or even all four wheels. Suspension geometry, suspension wear and tear and a host of other factors can also affect wear for individual tires.

At some point, you'll need to swap your tires around to ensure that they not only wear evenly, but also help keep your car's handling neutral and predictable. Most experts recommend a rotation every 3,000 to 7,000 miles, with the exact rotation pattern dependent on the type of vehicle you own and the tires you're using.

Curb Your Enthusiasm For Curbs

Not watching where you park could have consequences for your rims and tires. Scraping a curb at low to moderate speeds can cause damage to the tire's sidewalls. In some severe cases, it can even cause a bulge to appear on the sidewall – a sure-fire sign that your tire is done for.

You can keep curb rash from happening simply by paying close attention to where you park. You should also refrain from using your tires to "feel out" curbs. If you've had a close encounter with a curb, you may want to have a tire shop take a look at your wheels for safety's sake.

For more information, contact a specialist like Jafstram Imported Car Service.