The Importance of Tire Maintenance

December 26th, 2021 by

Tires are an essential part of your vehicle as they facilitate better handling and a smooth ride. Therefore, it is necessary to check your tires regularly before and after drives. At Classic Toyota, our tires are more durable and remain in top shape for longer even if you regularly take long drives in Tyler, Texas.

Our experts understand common tire problems, ways to maintain tires, and the importance of proper tire maintenance. And we’ve condensed their recommendations and insights into this guide.

Factors to Consider When Replacing Tires

Old style rear tire on a red car.

Before replacing your tires, it would be best to schedule a service at our dealership for a professional inspection. Our factory-trained technicians can help you determine whether you need tire replacement or any other related services, like wheel alignment and rotation.

Here are some of the main factors that our technicians will highlight:

Right Tires for Your Car

Auto manufacturers consider the type of vehicle — sedan, hatchback, SUV, truck, etc. — and the minimum and maximum load it can carry. With this in mind, they then design a particular tire that will, in turn, fulfill the weight requirements. When recommending new tires to replace your old ones, we also consider these factors and ensure you get the right tires for your car.

Proper Inflation of Your Tires

Your car will perform according to how you inflate the tires. When inflating your tires, bear in mind the PSI your car manufacturer recommends, most likely written on your vehicle identification number (VIN). High-pressure inflation will reduce traction and rolling resistance, increase fuel consumption, and lower handling. Conversely, low pressure on your tires will increase rolling resistance and traction, resulting in poor overall performance. In other words, following the recommended tire inflation makes your drive smoother and comfortable while producing better performance and efficiency.

So, you should choose a tire that, when inflated, performs like the other ones on your vehicle.

Tire’s Production Date

Just as the other components of the car break and depreciate over time, tires undergo the same wear. Given this inevitable development, it would be best to know your tire’s production date to ascertain its expiration date — usually six years after the production date — after which you can expect a decline in performance. That said, you’re in good hands with us. Our sales experts will readily give you this expiration information when you purchase the tire at our dealership.

Condition of the Tire

A tire in excellent condition will have the correct tread depth, an important metric for a tire’s braking, handling, and cornering performance. We recommend a tread depth of 3/32 as the minimum value. If the tire is not damaged, look for punctures, sidewall faults (often caused by bubbles or curbs), and torn tire belts. Also, you should correctly align the tire’s inner and outer adjustments for a well-balanced feel. If these are not aligned properly, you might experience pulling in one direction when driving.

We also check whether your tires are balanced. Car owners often mistake the vibrations, either from the steering wheel or the car itself, during drives for wheel alignment issues. But the vibrations are usually an indication of tire imbalance, which might produce scallops in the tread and, thus, unnecessary noises.

How To Solve Common Tire Problems

Before going for a ride, always check whether your tires are in critical condition. Some of the most common tire problems to look out for include:

  • Overinflation and underinflation of tires: Both always reduce efficiency and handling.
  • Treadwear on the tires’ edges: This unbalances the wheels or damages the shock absorbers.
  • Inefficient linking between the raised sidewall portions separating the belts on the car’s chassis: These need to be in sync at all times for optimal performance.
  • One-sided pull on transit: Sometimes this occurs when you have a brake or wheel alignment problem.
  • Irregular thumping noises while on the road: These irritating sounds are occasionally caused by a tire with a separated or an imbalanced belt.

You can solve these problems by thoroughly inspecting the tire tread to discover any defects in time. Always use the recommended pressure and seek wheel alignment services, especially after excursions to rocky terrains in Texas, to optimize the driving and braking.

Bring your car to our dealership regularly for tire rotation and wheel balancing, and you can look forward to a steady ride every time.

The Importance of Tire Maintenance

There are many benefits of properly maintaining your tires, including:

Better MPG

A car with improved MPG offers better convenience and savings. You get to make fewer stops at the gas station and, by extension, spend less on fuel. Some vehicles attain better MPG than others, though that doesn’t mean you can’t maximize your car’s fuel efficiency.  Tire maintenance is one of the most effective ways to achieve better miles per gallon (mpg). In other words, take care of your tires and your car’s fuel economy improves.

Increased Tire Lifespan

Having to occasionally step out of your vehicle to change a flat tire is challenging indeed. The good news is, you can fix constant flat tires with the correct maintenance schedule. You can extend your tires’ lifespan by properly taking care of them and visiting an auto repair shop at the recommended intervals.

Efficient and Smooth Ride

Properly maintained tires are reliable and deliver a smooth ride in different terrains. Remember, always buy summer and winter tires from certified retailers to ensure optimal efficiency year-round when driving.

Improved Vehicle Performance

Your overall vehicle performance depends on maintaining your tire conditions at all times. As such, it is essential to schedule tire cleaning services, inflate all tires properly, and seek professional assistance for wheel alignment and tire balancing.

Contact Classic Toyota for Tire Maintenance Services

At Classic Toyota, we’ve been catering to the residents of Tyler, Texas, and nearby areas since 1994. So, expect superior services when you drive into our dealership. We’re located at 1717 West SW Loop 323, and our vast inventory of genuine tire brands comes with a no-cost maintenance plan with 24-hour road assistance. Now, there’s no reason to get stranded on highways due to flat tires.

Our factory-trained technicians also offer a wide range of services, including state-of-the-art auto body repairs, rust repairs, and complete vehicle detailing services. Contact us today to schedule tire repair and replacement services.

 

Image by Tim Meyer Licensed via Unsplash

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