Essential Tire Services You Shouldn’t Overlook
Your car’s tires are the only part of your vehicle that touches the ground. They’re your connection and they’re responsible for your vehicle’s grip and traction. We all know we should make sure our tires aren’t dry-rotted and that they have enough tread, but there are other tire services you shouldn’t overlook. Maintaining your tires will make them last longer and improve your vehicle’s traction and safety.
Proper Air Pressure
If your tires don’t have the proper air pressure, it could create a dangerous situation. Too much air and your tires could explode. Most tires have a pretty high PSI (pound-force per square inch) rating, but if that number is exceeded, the tire could explode, leaving you stranded. Even if it doesn’t explode, you may have excessive tire wear in the middle of your tires, reducing their longevity. If you don’t have enough air pressure, several things could happen. The tire could explode in this scenario as well. Less drastically, it could decrease your fuel economy. It could also create more wear on the edges of your tires, which will make them not last as long. You’ll find the manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure on the inside of your driver's side door. Pay attention to the difference between the front and rear tires as these numbers often vary.
Leaking Air
Tires can be expensive, so when you get a nail or other object stuck in your tire, it might be tempting to ignore it. However, many of these types of leaks can easily be fixed with a plug, depending on where the damage is located. If your tire is leaking air for another reason, like a bad tire, bent wheel, or damaged tire bead, you should have it repaired. Any causes of a leak can cause you to be stranded or lead to a blowout.
Rotations
Tires should be regularly rotated. Since your vehicle will wear on some tires more than others, rotating them will ensure even wear and increase how long the tires will last. Drive wheels will wear on the tires faster since those are the wheels that are turned by the drivetrain. On front-wheel drive cars, you’ll find that the front tires wear faster, and rear-wheel drive cars will wear on the rear tires faster. Since modern all-wheel drive models still distribute a percentage of power between the front and rear, you’ll see more wear on tires with a higher percentage of power distribution.
Alignments
An alignment might be one of the most important services you can have done to your vehicle. One sign you need an alignment is if it constantly pulls to one side. Other signs include uneven tire wear and poor handling. Alignments can be thrown off by worn suspension, potholes, collisions, and other factors. If your car seems to be handling poorly, a bad alignment may be the culprit.
Don’t ignore these services. Most of them are very inexpensive and will protect your expensive tires from excessive wear and early replacement. It will also keep you safe on the road and ensure you always get the best driving and handling from your vehicle. If you have any questions about your tires and how to make them last, contact Mercedes-Benz of Annapolis today to schedule an appointment.