Replacing your tires can sometimes be a time-consuming hassle. But it’s well worth the time due to the benefits.
By choosing the correct, you can improve your vehicle’s overall handling performance and help with reduced wear on your suspension. Many tire brands and models are available and even the cheaper tires perform well. But it’s not just about choosing the correct tire; you also maintain them.
Following are three essentials to consider when choosing tires, and also tips on maintaining them.
Correct Tire Type
The first thing to start with is the correct size. On your sidewall, you will see a number such as 215/65 R15. This is the width (215mm), aspect ratio (65, meaning the height is equal to 65% of the tire’s width), type (R for Radial Construction), and wheel size (15”).
If you bought a used car, don’t rely on the information of the current tires; most cars have the factory-recommended tire sizes on a sticker placed somewhere on the inside of the driver’s door.
The aspect ratio is vital for proper fitment—you want a tire size that fits your rim and doesn’t disrupt your suspension. It would be absurd for a Buick sedan to run on F-150 tire sizes.
Understanding your tire size is the first step to identifying the tires that will run the most efficiently for your vehicle. Depending on your tire use, you will then decide what type of tire you’ll mount on your vehicle.
There are drag and competition tires for muscle cars, as well as seasonal tires for winter and summer driving. Most drivers will benefit from all-season tires outside of winter.
Check Air Pressure Regularly
The recommended air pressure of your tires will depend on your vehicle and tire size. It’s ideal to consistently monitor your tire pressure with a tire gauge to help prevent wear. Keeping a consistent air pressure will increase your gas mileage, prevent suspension issues, and will help prevent degradation of your tire’s tread.
Keep Those Wheels Aligned
Wheel alignment is equally as important in maintaining your tire’s PSI. Bad wheel alignment will not only be noticeable while you’re driving, but it will significantly decrease the life of your tires. In terms of basic tire maintenance, monitoring your air pressure, rotating your tires every 10,000 miles, and keeping your wheels aligned will help make your turns sharper, prevent flat tires, and improve your overall gas mileage.
Finally, when you do decide to replace them, remember to recycle your old tires.
Check out the 20 coolest muscle cars on Twitter for a little social media muscle car fun.
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