Fix Those Damn Tires, Won't You?

By Cornelius Nunev


Save your tires, please. Handle them right, before they go flat. Achieve this by learning why tires fall short.

It's not only about flat tires

There are many things that people do wrong on the subject of their tires. People neglect their tires all the time. In fact, a flat tire is probably not the result of somebody slashing your tires or running over a nail on the highway usually. It has to do with bad driving practices, worn tire tread, and inflation troubles. There are a few things you can do to improve the health of your tires over the long run though.

About 80 percent of automobiles on the road have tires that are underinflated by as much as 30 percent the recommended pressure. The sidewalls of the tire will rub and wear causing holes eventually, which means you need to never drive without properly inflated tires, according to a U.S. DOT study. Do not worry, you are not the only person who does it.

Are your tires too old?

Some people have tires on their automobiles that are way too old, which is a severe problem. Make an effort to make sure your tires are not older than five years, although it does not matter that much how old they really are. There is not a specific expiration date on tires, although you can find the exact day it was manufactured by looking at the data code on the sidewall.

Under-inflation

If your tires are under-inflated - if the air pressure PSI is too low - your tires will heat up more than appropriately inflated tires. The tread and sidewalls shouldn't flex. Flexing opens the door for friction when the automobile is in motion, which quickly degrades the rubber and fabric of the tire. You simply should not judge a tire's PSI on sight. Use a tire gauge and test it regularly. The pressure level your tires require is printed on a sticker on your driver's side door frame, or inside the car's glove box. Your car's owner's manual will even have this information.

Too fat of a tire

According to the rock band Queen, "fat-bottomed girls" may "make the rockin' world go round," but fat-bottomed tires won't continue going around for long. Over-inflated tires will not grip the road appropriately, as the tread will become misshapen due to the excess air. The tire tread will go prematurely bald in the center, too. Traumatic impacts may also make blowouts much more likely, which can send you into that roadside ditch.

Sidewall rubber melts

Summer is knocking at the door, and the UV rays of the sun can do a real number on your tires. Add ozone and road chemicals to the mix and things get even worse for the sidewall rubber. Using aftermarket protectants will remove the essential oils prematurely, oils that are there to guard the rubber in the first place. In general, the driver should watch for cracking. A little alligator-like cracking in the sidewalls of your tires is normal. But if the cracks reach down to the fabric sidewall plies, you need brand new tires immediately.

Puncture through flapping

Your tires might be struggling if you see a flapping radial belt. Getting a puncture will definitely lead to a flat. Make sure you learn more about how you can keep your tires from damaging the vehicle if you get a flat, but avoid penetration as much as possible. Occasionally, you can get a small puncture filled, but other times you have to replace the tire right away.




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