3 Tips For Taking Care Of Your Tires During The Summer
If you live in a region of the country that gets really hot temperatures in the summer time, you need to pay special attention to your vehicle's tires, as all that hot weather can affect them. Here are a few tips that will help you take care of your vehicle's tires during the heat of summer.
#1 Don't Drive On Old Tires
One of the best ways to take care of your tires and yourself is by not driving on old tires. You don't want to drive with tires where the tread is worn down. However, you also don't want to drive on really old tires. For example, if you have a low mileage vehicle that you don't drive that often, you may want to change the tires every five years or so, even if the tread is not worn down. Over time, tires can crack as the layers get older and they can even develop dry rot inside of them.
If you know that the tires on your vehicle are running up to a decade without being replaced, even if the tread is not worn down, you should replace the tires. If you are not sure how old the tire is, look for the DOT number on the tire. This number will have the letters "DOT" in front of it, followed by four numbers. The set of four numbers represents the week followed by the year that the tire was made. For example, 2206 would mean the tire was made the 22nd week of the year 2006.
Save yourself from a blowout and potential damage to your vehicle, and put a new set of tires on your vehicle.
#2 Check The Tire Pressure
It is important to keep a close eye on the pressure in your tires during the summertime. It is best to check your tires early in the day, before your tires heat up and the pressure inside of them increases. When vehicle manufactures give recommended tire pressure, they are generally basing that on a cold read of your tire pressure, not a hot read, which is why you should check your tire pressure early in the morning while it is cool outside.
At that time, if your tires need more pressure, add it and if the pressure is too high, release some air pressure. Checking your tire pressure later in the day will most likely give you different readings, so try to stick to the same time each time you check your tire pressure.
Also, the most accurate tire pressure gauges are either dial or digital, not stick gauges. They don't cost much more to purchase, but will give you more accurate readings.
#3 Weekly Visual Inspection
At least once a week, you should take a minute to walk around your vehicle and check out your tires. When you check out your tires, keep an eye out for areas where the tread is starting to wear thin or unevenly. Uneven wear on your tire treads can point to other issues with your tires, such as old springs or your alignment being off. Fixing these issues will make your vehicle drive better and your tires wear more evenly.
You should also check the walls of your tire, and make sure that there are not any bulges or cracks in the sidewall. Both of these are signs that you need to replace your tires. If you see these signs, take your care to a tire service shop right away.
Take care of your tires this summer by replacing any old tires, checking the tire pressure on a regular basis, and regularly visually inspecting your tires for signs of wear. In the summer heat, you want the best tires possible under your vehicle to keep you safe.