Car maintenance is a complicated and technical issue. There are so many important things to be aware of before you prepare to have maintenance done on your car. Issues with used tires are some of the most common because they are hard to maintain. Experts recommend checking your used tire alignment every 6,000 miles, or when you have your oil changed because a lot can happen in that time. Additionally, a tire rotation should generally be done around every 7,500 miles, or as often as the car manufacturer recommends. Most people don’t keep up with these checks for a variety of reasons, but the underlying cause is simply vehicle neglect. Neglecting vehicles costs the economy over $2 billion every year. If every vehicle owner took the time to take the proper precautions, this cost could be drastically reduced. After all, tires are just as essential to a working car as any other part, and properly maintaining them can add many years to your car’s life.
Issues with used tires aren’t always easy to spot. Under inflation results in unnecessary tire stress, irregular wear, loss of control and accidents. A used tire can lose up to 50% of its inflation pressure and not appear to be flat. That’s why doing frequent tire checks is absolutely crucial for proper used tire maintenance.
The condition of your car’s tires can also majorly affect your risk of being involved in an accident on the road. A study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) determined that vehicles driving on tires under-inflated by more than 25% are three times more likely to be involved in a crash related to used tire problems than vehicles with proper inflation. Remember, a quick stop at the gas station to put some air in your tires could truly prevent an accident and save a life!
Another maintenance issue you don’t want to overlook is retreading. When your tires’ tread has worn to 6/32nds of an inch, it’s time to get them replaced. Even though you may not feel a difference in the way your car drives, it can majorly affect a number of different aspects of your car’s overall performance, such as gas mileage.
Overall, car and tire maintenance is extremely important. Think about how much time you spend in your car – your safety comes first.
