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Rollin', Rollin', Rollin'
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| Keeping Your Tires In Top Condition |
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| Updated |
Jun 10, 2004 21:19:53 |
| Rating |
 180 ( -26 -14.44% ) | | Author | Tara Baukus Mello |
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Description:
They are the only part of your vehicle that touches the road, yet you probably pay the least amount of attention to them. After all who wants to go near four strips of rubber that have been rolling through dirt, mud, kid's bubble gum and who knows what else? It may not be the most pleasant thing to think about, but having tires that are in tip-top shape can mean that you have improved gas mileage, better performance and greater handling of your vehicle.
Importance of Inflation
Checking Your Pressure
Assess Tread Wear
Flat No More
Importance of Inflation
The primary cause of tire damage and excessive wear is driving on tires that are under- or over-inflated. Experts suggest that you check your tire pressure once a month, since tire pressure can drop naturally. Pay attention to squealing noises when you turn a corner at normal speeds or if your car pulls to the left or right when you are driving straight on a level road. Both are signs that a tire is improperly inflated and are a warning sign that if you don't do something soon you could end up with uneven wear or worse, a flat. Even a tire that doesn't "look flat" can mean reduced handling and excessive tread wear.
Checking Your Pressure
Checking your tire pressure is easy, although depending on the last time your tires were cleaned, it may mean that your hands get dirty. First, check the owner's manual of your car for the proper inflation level. The manufacturer has determined the correct pressure for your vehicle and tire combination and may even make special recommendations based on the number of passengers you typically carry or if you are towing something. The pressure noted on the sidewall of your tires is the maximum pressure of the tire and is not the proper inflation level for your car. Once you determine the proper pressure, check all four tires using a tire pressure gauge, available at your local auto parts store. Then add or remove air as needed using an air compressor at your nearby gas station.
Assess Tread Wear
If you haven't checked your tire pressure for a while, now is also a good time to check your tread wear. Here's a simple tread test: Take a penny, pinching Abe's body between your thumb and forefinger. Then put his head between the grooves of the tread. As long as part of his head is obscured by the tread, then you have the legal amount of tread on your tires. Check several places on each tire to see if you have uneven tread wear. If you can see Abe's head, even in some sections of the tread, then it's time to purchase new tires.
You'll get the most mileage out of your tires if you maintain the proper tire pressure and if you rotate them every 5,000-8,000 miles. Many tire shops will rotate your tires for free if you purchased them there. The technician at your dealership or service shop will also sometimes rotate them for free if you request it during your regularly scheduled service.
Flat No More
When shopping for new tires, you may want to consider upgrading to a set of tires that will reduce or eliminate your chances of getting a flat. A study conducted for Michelin North America indicated that 24 percent of households had experienced a flat tire within the prior six months, and that the vast majority (90 percent) of flat tires was the result of a puncture from a sharp object, such as a nail or a screw. Today, there are tires available that can prevent a flat.
Sealant tires, such as Firestone's Sealix or Uniroyal's NailGuard, can seal a puncture in the tread that is up to 3/16-inches in diameter-the size of a large screw, nail or bolt. Sealant tires have a special coating inside the tire in the tread area that allows holes to be sealed and air pressure to be maintained. These tires, which cost slightly more than conventional models, will not protect against larger punctures, nor damage to the sidewall of the tire. Sealant tires come in many sizes that fit a wide variety of cars, SUVs and pickups.
The latest advance in tire technology are called run-flat or zero-pressure tires. These tires do exactly what their name implies- they will continue to perform even after all of the air pressure is gone from the tire. Several manufacturers, including Goodyear, Michelin and Firestone, offer these types of tires, which can be driven on for up to 50 miles at 55 miles per hour with zero air pressure. These tires handle so well when flat that they require a tire pressure monitoring system to warn the driver when there is a loss of pressure. The monitoring system contains a transmitter, which is installed on the wheel, and a receiver inside the vehicle, usually on the visor or overhead console. The receiver has a screen that lists current tire pressure for each tire, as well as an audible alarm, which goes off when the pressure drops to a set point. Although more expensive than conventional tires, run-flat tires offer drivers the assurance of never needing to stop to change a tire in an unsafe location, nor having an accident as a result of a full blow-out. They can be a worthwhile investment for individuals who do a lot of driving or who simply want the added security. |
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