How to Maintain and Extend the Life of Your Car's Tires

Driving with worn tires increases the chance of getting a flat tire or a dangerous blowout. Good tire maintenance will extend the life of your tires, which will save you money. Follow these steps to extend the life of your tires.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Automotive Tires

1. Check the tire pressure on all four tires at least once a month. Don't over inflate. The recommended tire pressure is stamped on the side of the tire as well as on a sticker on the driver's side door jamb - 32 pounds per square inch (PSI) is a good rule of thumb.

2. Have your car aligned if you notice that it drifts in one direction when driving on a straight road.

3. Get an alignment after any accident, even a small fender bender.

4. Have the wheels balanced if you notice a consistent vibration or shimmy at certain speeds. For example, a vibration in the steering wheel that occurs only at 60 mph and goes away if you drive faster or slower indicates that the wheels need balancing.

5. Understand that bad shock absorbers or struts will cause the tires to wear unevenly.

Tips & Warnings

• Most people need to purchase new tires every four or five years, depending on their driving habits.
• If you are unsure whether you need new tires, ask for an opinion at a repair shop that does not sell tires!

[swopedesign]

on 10/3/2007 Actually, nitrogen fill IS about both nitrogen and removing moisture. 1) Nitrogen does not expand or contract with temperature, like compressed air. Thus, tire pressure remains optimum all day long. 2) Nitrogen molecules are also larger than air molecules, and so bleeds thru tires 6x slower than compressed air, resulting in longer consistency for tire pressure. This is another reason why the military uses nitrogen in their tires. Tire pressure should still be checked monthly to detect any low tires. 3) The greater concentration of nitrogen instead of moisture also means the tire runs cooler. This translates into longer tire and tread life (heat promotes wear and weathering). 4) Moisture also promotes corrosion and rust. So the removal of moisture naturally reduces corrosion and rust on wheels.

[ericgrau]

on 11/2/2006 Nitrogen Fill - It's not about getting 17% more nitrogen. It's about getting rid of the moisture in the air. Water vapor increases your tire pressure when your tires get hot. Racers use nitrogen to keep the tire pressure constant.

on 11/22/2005 On paper, nitrogen is better. In real life, it's better too, but by an amount that you'll never notice. Air is 78% nitrogen, and a nitrogen fill is up to 95% nitrogen. You'll get far more benefit from weekly pressure checks and topping off your tires, in fuel economy, handling, tread wear, etc. than from increasing nitrogen content by 17%.

If it's free, take it, but continue to fill with regular air when available, and make checking tire pressure a regular habit.

on 11/22/2005 Find a local tire shop that has the ability to fill your tires with nitrogen gas instead of air. Nitrogen will maintain the same pressure regardless of the season.

on 11/22/2005 When you buy new tires, check your front alignment and adjust it with the new tires installed and proper inflated. Check the inflation every week. Drive your first 100 miles gently, avoiding rapid acceleration and stopping. Keep your tires from the SUN!