Few people obsess over their tires. Heck, few people even take care of their tires. That’s too bad because with a little love and attention, you can be assured that your tires are not only safe but aren’t draining your wallet. Want to know more? Here are some “hacks” that you can use to drive safely and save your hard earned money.
Tire alignments can save you money – When your front or rear tires are out of alignment, they usually wear quickly and need replacement sooner than they should. Bottom line: You should have your vehicle’s tires looked at every year. If your tires are wearing evenly, you may be able to skip a full alignment. If they are wearing unevenly, a full alignment is a good idea.
Keep them inflated properly – Underinflated tires cost you gas and tire life. Here’s what you should know. First, underinflated tires don’t roll as easily and this affects your gas mileage. How much, you ask? According to Newark Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (Newark, DE), if your tires are 10 lbs underinflated, your gas mileage will be between 5-10% less than usual. Its a good idea to check your tires inflation every month. Note: the correct pressure to inflate your tires is NOT what the pressure stated on the actual tire. What you see on the actual tire is the maximum pressure. The pressure you should inflat your tires is in your owner’s manual or on a door jambs sticker.
Buy them at the right time – Does your car need new tires? Major tip: buy your winter tires in the summer and summer tires in the winter. It’s a simple thing and very few people do it! Just think about it, retailers need sales year round and guess what: they incentivize product sales when they are of season!
Shop around – So when was the last time you compared prices from multiple tire shops in hopes of getting the best deal? Don’t feel bad, most people don’t, and thats kind of dumb. Definitely look into the discount retailers as they frequently have the best prices. Keep your eyes peeled for rebates also.
Don’t trash punctured tires – In most cases, there is absolutely nothing wrong with patching a tire that has a hole in it. Many people have the mind set that “a punctured tire is unsafe.” Thats not really true for small punctures. If you find a nail in the center of your tread that is leaking air, bring it to your local dealer or repair facility and have them patch it. Typically this will cost $25 or so and will save you from buying a new tire.
Tires have specialties – In areas that see a winter weather, it’s good idesa to buy a second set of winter tires. What many people do is get a second set of rims and they keep their winter tires and summer tires separate. While a second set of rims can be expensive, you can always get used ones from a local auto recycling facility.
