4 Dangerous Tire Mistakes to Avoid

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If you drive a vehicle, then you rely on your tires to help get you from point A to point B on a regular basis. Unfortunately, even though the tires are the main point of contact between your vehicle and the road, many car owners overlook the importance of keeping them well maintained. Specifically, there are a few common tire maintenance mistakes that you'll want to avoid because they can be downright dangerous for you, your passengers, and other drivers.

Over/Underinflating

One of the easiest things you can do to keep your tires in tip-top shape is to check their air pressure weekly. Know the proper PSI, or pounds per square inch, for your tires (you should be able to find this information in your owner's manual) and use a tire gauge to ensure that your tires stay as close to this number as possible. Just be careful not to overfill your tires, as this can increase their chances of a blowout.

Poor Wheel Balance

Your tires are precisely balanced when you have them installed, but when you drive over speed bumps and pot holes, they can easily become thrown off balance. Why is this a problem? For starters, unbalanced tires are more prone to premature wear and tear, but even more dangerously, unbalanced tires compromise your vehicle's ability to handle well. Have your tires balanced every time you get them rotated to avoid these problems.

Failure to Rotate

Speaking of tire rotations, you should be having these done every so often as well. The frequency with which tire rotations should be done varies from one vehicle to the next, but you should be able to find this information easily in your owner's manual. The nice thing about tire rotations is that they're inexpensive, and some dealerships and auto shops will even throw them in for free with your oil change. Rotating your tires regularly will keep the wear and tear on them consistent, which helps reduce the chances of a tire blowout.

Worn-Off Tread

Finally, know when to replace your tires and don't hold off on doing so when the time comes. Worn-off tire tread will compromise your stopping distance, affect your handling, and put you in danger every time you drive. A good way to tell if you need new tires is to place an upside down penny into the tread of your tires; if you can see all of Abraham Lincoln's head, your tires are too worn and need replacing.

For more information about car tires or to have yours inspected, find an auto service in your area like Collier Goodyear Car Care Center.

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