It has been said that a person’s feet are often the most neglected part of the body when it comes to health. The same also seems to be true for the health of a car. Just as feet are essential to keep a person going, tires are essential to making a car run smoothly mile after mile.
Conscientious car owners will add gasoline to their fuel tanks and check the oil regularly. However, many times these same drivers will give the tires a cursory glance and assume all is well with the “feet” of their car.
Checking the pressure in the tires regularly is an easy way to maintain the health of a car. While experienced drivers may think they can monitor the pressure visually, this is not an accurate way to determine it. Some car tires have a lower profile than others, and the only reliable measurement is checking the pressure with a tire gauge. This should be done approximately once a month.
One common mistake drivers make when airing tires is to over or under inflate them. While a tire may have a maximum pounds per square inch recommendation, each car is unique. The owner’s manual of the car will list the optimum pressure for the tire. Sometimes it will even specify different volumes for the front and rear tires.
Improperly inflated tires will have uneven wear. If they are over inflated, the center of the tread will get heavier wear. If they are under inflated, the shoulder of the tire will wear heavier. Keeping proper pressure in the tires ensures better fuel mileage, performance and handling. It will also extend the life of the tire.
An important thing for drivers to remember is to check the tire pressure before driving the car. The process of driving heats the air in the tire, causing it to expand. This will give an inaccurate pounds per square inch reading if the pressure is checked soon after driving the car. Drivers need not worry about the maximum pressure recommendation being exceeded by driving, however. These guidelines are made with a cold reading in mind.
Unfortunately, if a person neglects his feet until there is a health problem, major inconvenience and expense can be involved. The same is true of the tires of a car. A simple monthly pressure check can alleviate the expense of replacing tires because of uneven wear and the inconvenience of a blow-out due to unnecessary tread separation.
Mr. Muffler is your full service Sterling Heights Auto Repair shop servicing Sterling Heights. Click here For Macomb Township Auto Repair. For more information visit us online at http://www.mrmufflerautorepair.com/ Mr. Muffler Auto Repair, 37526 Van Dyke, Sterling Heights, MI 48312, (586) 264-3650
