As a vehicle owner, it’s your responsibility to maintain your Acura. That includes making sure that your tires are in good condition. If you don’t take care of your tires, you could end up with an unsafe and unreliable ride, leading to major repairs and even accidents. Here are some tire care tips to help keep your vehicle always safe to drive.
Ensure your tires are properly inflated
The first step to taking proper care of your tires is to check your tire pressure. If you’re unsure what the recommended tire pressure is, check your owner’s manual. Tires should be inflated to the pressure recommended by the manufacturer.
Tire pressure can decrease as temperatures decrease and increase as temperatures rise. It is important to keep your tires properly inflated, whatever the weather or temperature, for them to work correctly and provide maximum traction on the road. Over-inflated or under-inflated tires may not accelerate, brake, or steer properly.
Keep your wheels aligned
Wheel alignment is performed to ensure that your tires are tracking straight and not pulling to one side or the other. This helps to reduce tire wear, which saves you money on replacement costs.
Alignment should be done at least once every year, or about 15,500 miles. The ideal time for an alignment is when you rotate your tires. This will help avoid uneven wear and tear on the treads of your Acura’s tires.
Take your Acura vehicle to a service center if you need help determining when it’s time for a wheel alignment. This is where you can simultaneously have both tire rotation and wheel alignment done. They can advise you whether there’s any damage or problems with your current tires and resolve the issue immediately.
Rotate your tires regularly
As you may have learned in high school physics, friction, and uneven weight distribution cause problems. Rotating your car’s tires every 10,000 to 12,000 kilometers (6,200 to 7,500 miles) is recommended. Otherwise, you could find yourself with a vehicle that pulls to one side or is more likely to skid around turns. That makes for a less enjoyable drive and can lower fuel economy by as much as 1 percent!
Balance your tires
It’s important to balance your tires because it improves tire life and reduces tire wear. When your wheels and tires aren’t balanced properly, you may notice a vibration when driving on smooth roads. Consequently, uneven tread wear will occur.
Use appropriate tires for each season
Winter tires are made from a softer rubber than their summer counterparts, giving them a better grip on snow and ice. Summer tires tend to be harder and more durable — and they provide better traction on dry pavement. Remember that you can wear out your tires faster than expected if you use them in the wrong season.
Don’t mix and match tires
When it comes to tires for your Acura, there are a number of rules you should follow. First, you should never mix and match tires from different manufacturers. This is because the sidewall construction and molding methods may differ between brands, resulting in uneven wear or even blowouts when driving at high speeds.
Another thing to avoid when pairing up new rubber for your ride is mixing tires from different size ranges. For example, don’t pair a 225/45R20 tire with a 245/40R21 — the latter will be too small for the width of the former, making them incompatible.
Similarly, don’t put on two sets of different tread patterns. This can cause premature wear and poor traction control during wet conditions (or snow).
Don’t overload your vehicle
Overloading your vehicle also causes wear and tear on the tires. Overloaded tires can get punctured more easily and are more likely to blow out at higher speeds. If you overload your vehicle, you are putting yourself at risk for an accident and those around you.
Check your tires for wear and replace them if needed
As you drive, your tires are subjected to a lot of wear and tear. A tire that’s worn out can lead to serious accidents, so it’s important to check them regularly.
Your tire’s tread depth is a good indication of whether or not it needs to be replaced. New tires have an average tread depth of 8 to 9 millimeters (10/32 to 11/32 inches). The US Department of Transportation recommends replacing tires when they’ve reached 2/32 inches, and many states legally require tires to be replaced at this depth. You can check the depth of your tires’ tread by doing the penny test.
Repair punctured tires
Nails and glass are common culprits for punctures. So it’s always best to check your tires regularly using a flashlight and ensure nothing is stuck in them. If you find that one of your tires has been punctured, take it to a mechanic ASAP. Punctured tires pose safety risks because they’ll lose air pressure quickly and compromise handling when driving on roads with potholes and other uneven ground surfaces.
Get your tires replaced by experts at Criswell Acura in Baltimore
The bottom line is that tires are important. They’re the only thing keeping you from breaking down when you hit a pothole, and they play a major role in your car’s fuel efficiency. You can’t just choose any old tire — you have to get the right one for you, your vehicle, and your budget.
So if you’re looking to get new tires for your ride, take a look at what we at Criswell Acura have to offer. You can trust us to provide expert service and quality products. Don’t hesitate to visit us or give us a call at 443-482-3220 if you have any questions or concerns!
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