How To Maintain Your Car Tires And Maximize Their Lifespan

Your car will definitely experience some wear andthe wear-bar, you can also use a tread measuring
tear after a few years on the road and even timelydevice (available with most car-spares sellers).
servicing may not prevent the occasional requirement 
for a part replacement. Among all the parts of a car,The measuring device needs to be placed between
the ones that face the most stress are the engine,the treads. If the reading is around 2/32 of an inch, you
transmission, axles, suspension, brakes, lights and tires.definitely need a tire replacement. Under extreme
With continuous stress these parts are most likely todriving conditions, you might want to replace your car
break down or wear out. Even among these parts, thetires before a reading of 4/32 of an inch appears on
ones that experience the most wear and tear are thethe device.
tires. 
 Verify whether wheel alignment is needed – Proper
Changes in weather and driving conditions, types ofalignment of your car wheels is aimed at distributing
roads, vehicle dynamics, and years of usage alongthe weight of the vehicle evenly on all four wheels. In
with lack of maintenance can affect the condition ofdoing so, each wheel should maintain a constant angle
your car tires to a substantial extent.with the road and with the axis of the opposite wheel.
 There should be no inward or outward tilt in the axis of
The effects of these factors can lead to deteriorationthe wheels. The purpose of wheel alignment is to
of tire-material and loss of tire-tread that may result inreduce uneven tire wear, make sure the vehicle
tire-skidding and possibly accidents or car crashes.travels in a straight line without any sideways drag and
 improve steering control.
It is imperative that car tires receive utmost care and 
maintenance because if they are not in a condition toAlong with uneven wear-out of tires, another
do their job properly, there is a serious threat to theprominent sign of misaligned wheels is a crooked
safety of the vehicle along with its occupants andsteering wheel. If the steering-wheel in your car is tilted
other entities on the road.from the normal position when the car is traveling in a
 straight line, there is a wheel alignment problem in your
But there is no need to panic. We can ensure that ourcar. Also, if your car tends to steer in either direction
car tires remain in a fighting-fit condition for years byinstead of traveling in a straight line, it is time for a
following these simple guidelines.wheel alignment.
  
 Timely alignment of wheels can save the tires from
Maintain proper tire pressure – Always make sureuneven wear out and at the same time save you
the air pressure in your car tires is maintained betweenfrom a lot of hassle on the road and off it.
recommended levels. Under-inflation as well as 
over-inflation of tires can induce uneven wear and tearPractice Tire Rotation – There is no doubt that the
in tires, reduced traction, decreased fuel economy andtires in your car will eventually wear out but with
compromised steering control.certain techniques, you can definitely prolong their
 life-span. Tire rotation is one such effective technique
Keep a check on the wearing process – A wornmentioned in most service manuals across the globe.
out tire is the main ingredient in the recipe for road 
accidents. Monitor the wearing process of your carThe four tires of the car need to be periodically
tires to know exactly when you need to replace them.rotated in a manner that each tire is moved from its
It is a proven fact that constant monitoring of thecurrent position and mounted at the opposite end in a
condition of tires can save you from a lot of hassle.crisscross manner. Hence, the driver's side front-wheel
 is fitted in place of passenger's side rear-wheel. This
You should identify the pattern of tire wear and try toway, tires wear out evenly and hence last longer.
gauge the decrease in the depth of the treads. Most 
tires have wear-out indicators calledBy following these simple guidelines, you can maximize
“wear-bars” around the circumference in thethe lifespan of your car tires and definitely avoid a
form of rubber marks between treads.  If the depthreplacement tire for a long time. This way you also
of the treads matches that of the wear-bars, youmake sure that you are safe on the road knowing
definitely need to replace the tire. If you can't locateyour car tires will do their job effectively.