If there’s any part of your car that’s absolutely crucial to its long-term ability to work in the way that it should be, it is the tires. From tires in Cincinnati to tires in California, your tires get you where you need to be. And it is the tires in Cincinnati that put up with the most. It makes sense, after all, if you think about it.
Your tires are the part of your car that come in direct contact with the ground. It is only logical that they will become worn down over time not only by the friction of their near constant turning but by anything that they might drive over as well. From potholes to roadkill, there are a number of hazards that your tires face on a daily basis. Providing them with the properly scheduled maintenance and care can help to ensure that your car will keep running in the way that it should, getting you to where you need to go with as few problems as possible along the way.
A Look At Tire Wear
As briefly discussed above, tire wear can be caused by a number of factors – most of all, simple everyday use and the friction that is associated with it. But tire wear can occur for a number of other reasons as well, and there are even different types of tire wear. The fact that there are different types of tire wear is something that the majority of the general population is not aware of about their tires, and a compelling reason to seek regular servicing for their vehicles.
Toe and Camber Wear
The first common type of tire wear is referred to as toe wear. Toe wear typically occurs when there is an issue with the alignment of the tires with the body of the car itself. This poor alignment can cause uneven wear on the tires and leads to what is referred to as a “feathered” pattern of wear on the tops of both front tires alone. Camber tire wear is a similar cause of tire wear and often results from a misalignment of the camber. A misalignment of the camber is likely to cause the car to list to one side or the other, which will, over time, create an uneven pattern of wear on one side of the tire.
Center Wear
Center tire wear is also common but has a totally different cause from toe wear and camber wear. Center tire wear is one of the dangers of over-inflating your tires. It will occur after your tires are overinflated because this over inflation causes more pressure at the center of the tire. This will subsequently lead to more wear on the center of the tires and an uneven pattern of wear overall.
Edge Wear
Edge tire wear presents the opposite problem, culminating when a tire is underinflated for a period of time. This will lead to the opposite effect of center tire wear, with only the edges of the tires becoming worn and similarly uneven pattern of wear forming.
The Importance Of Tire Rotation
Though the wear of your tires is inevitable, you can prevent the need for new tires and prolong the life of your old tires with the regular implementation of tire rotation. Tire rotation is a common practice done on all types of car and other such vehicles and involves the turning of the tires with the goal of achieving uniform wear on all of them as opposed to any one of the irregular patterns of wear that are discussed above. IFrom tires it has been established that all types of tires will benefit from the practice of tire rotation.
It is crucial to note, however, that the tire rotation patterns that your car undergoes will be different than other types of cars. This is because the wear pattern happens differently for different vehicles, and therefore the tires must be rotated following a different pattern as well. Your owner’s manual that came with your car will briefly detail that tire rotation pattern that you should follow, but speaking to a professional about such matters in order to gain a deeper understanding of your vehicle is also common and recommended.
Fixing Your Wheel Alignment
Finally, the key to the health and longevity of your tires is that of your wheel alignment. As discussed above when we looked at irregular patterns of tire wear, wheel alignment is a more important factor than many people realize. Without proper wheel alignment, it is unlikely that your tires will wear evenly, even if you do partake in regular tire rotation (as you should no matter what).
If you notice unusual patterns of tire wear happening to your tires, it is well worth having your car looked at to check for irregular wheel alignment. Fixing wheel alignment is typically not a particularly complicated process, but it will have a profoundly positive effect on the overall total lifespan of all four of your tires. And fixing your wheel alignment will also give you a better, smoother, driving experience.
Tire Maintenance And You
It may seem at first like tire maintenance is wholly unimportant in the grand scheme of things. After all, if your tires aren’t flat and have enough air in them, then what’s the point of having them serviced? But the implementation of regular tire maintenance is the furthest thing from importance and can be both cost saving and work as a preventative action against future damage as well. From regular tire rotation to getting the proper wheel alignment, all aspects of regular tire maintenance are going to save you money in the long run but not only prolonging the lifespan of your tires but many other aspects of your car that are subject to wear and tear as well. On top of all this, tire maintenance is likely to give you a better riding experience as well – a win-win situation if there ever was one.
