Why Regularly Servicing Your Tires and Wheels Is Important

Many drivers tend to ignore their tires and wheels until one of them goes flat. Regularly servicing your tires can provide better fuel economy, better handling of the vehicle, and it can save on costly tire replacement down the line. In fact, many drivers don't realize that simple servicing actions such as inflating your tires regularly can keep your wheels and tires functioning for longer.

It is therefore important to check your tires during your next car service. Proper tire servicing involves the following actions and has the following benefits:

1. Tire pressure (extends the life of your tires)

During car service, checking the tire pressure is one of the most important components of the servicing process. An improper tire pressure can cause your tires to undergo unnecessary stress, an irregular wear pattern, and a loss of vehicle control on slippery roads.

Simply visually inspecting your tire pressure is not enough. A tire could have as little as 50% of its pressure remaining, but still appear inflated. The tire pressure should be measured using a tire gauge during car service. Maintaining the proper pressure extends the life of your tires.

2. Tire alignment (improves vehicle control)

Your tires need to be properly aligned in order to prevent the car from pulling excessively to one side. Proper alignment also prevents the steering wheel from shaking uncontrollably while driving.

During car service, the tires should be checked for proper alignment to the rest of the vehicle. This gives you better control of the car when driving, and reduces the likelihood of accidents occurring.

3. Tire rotation (keeps wheels in good condition)

You should have your tires rotated on a regular basis so they can wear evenly. It is recommended to have your tires rotated at least once every 5000 miles. During tire rotation, the tires are switched in a pattern relative to the wheel positions of the rest of the vehicle.

This is done to prevent the tread of the tires from getting unevenly worn out during operation of the vehicle. It also leads to healthier tires in the long run.

4. Measuring tire tread (provides better grip in slippery roads)

Another important component of tire maintenance is measuring the tire tread. If the tread on your tires is wearing out more at certain spots than others, this points to an uneven pattern of wear and tear, and it can lead to a poor grip on slippery roads. During tire service, the tire tread should be measured and the tires replaced if the tread is excessively worn out. 

For more information, contact a car service.