Related Sponsors

Introduction to Tire Maintenance

Home » Car Maintenance » Tires » Introduction to Tire Maintenance

We usually think of car care in terms of what takes place under the hood, but it's important to remember to take care of what is under the entire car--tires. Poorly maintained tires affect your car's handling and braking; they can be the difference between a close call and a major accident. Unfortunately, according to one recent survey, approximately fifty percent of cars on the road had at least one tire with poor tread.

Tire tread is the most important issue when it comes to tire maintenance because the tread is what provides the tire's secure grip on the road. A new tire generally has 5/16" tread, and when your tire's tread drops below 1/16", you definitely need a new tire. You may not notice a difference in your tires' tread during optimal driving conditions, but when rain, snow, or ice, are on the road, good tread improves your traction and reduces the chances that your car will hydroplane.

In addition, it's important to keep your tire properly inflated. An underinflated tire flexes too much, and your car's handling will suffer. In addition, underinflation increases the likelihood that you will suffer a blowout and decreases your car's gas mileage.

Overinflating your tires, however, also causes problems. An overinflated tire will wear unevenly (the center band of the tire will wear out quickly), and uneven wear reduces the life of the tire. In addition, you'll experience poor handling and a rougher ride than you would with properly inflated tires.

Finally, take a few minutes to learn about your tires. What kind of tires do you have and how long have you had each of them? Are your tires rated for sixty thousand miles? More miles? Fewer miles? A thoughtless decision, such as mixing radial and bias-belted tires, can cause major mechanical problems for your entire car and major safety hazards for your family.

Next Page: Checking Your Tire

Related Tires Articles