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Of all the things you can do to make sure your car is safe on the road, keeping up with tire maintenance is one of the most important. Tires aren’t just responsible for how well your car grips the road, they also affect ride quality and braking. And when you’re out on the road in Keller, TX, the last thing you want is to put yourself or other drivers at risk. If you haven’t been to an auto repair technician for tire maintenance in a while, here are five tips to help you take care of your tires.

1. TIRE PRESSURE

One of the most important things to keep an eye on when it comes to prolonging the life of your tires is the tire pressure. As a matter of fact, you can find a precise tire pressure that your car manufacturer recommends you use, which exists to keep your tires in good shape and to keep you safe.

If your tires are overinflated or underinflated, it can cause excessive tire wear that can lead to a shorter lifespan for the tire. In addition to that, your tires might not make solid contact with the ground which can compromise traction and steering and put you at risk. Make sure you have an expert auto repair technician check your tire pressure with every tire inspection.

The good news about tire pressure is that it’s an easy problem to fix. You can inflate your tires in a couple of minutes, and there are even simple tools to check tire pressure. However, it’s best to visit a deft repair specialist if you want accurate tire pressure readings.

2. ROTATION

With how much tire wear affects the lifespan of your tires, it’s important to make sure they’re wearing down evenly. Unfortunately, your driving habits and the weight distribution of your vehicle tend to wear certain spots down quicker. If you want to make sure your tires are wearing down evenly, you need to have them rotated by a trusted repair expert on a regular basis.

Rotating your tires essentially moves the badly worn spots to spots where your tires aren’t wearing down as quickly. In turn, the parts of the tire with more tread are moved to areas where they wear down quicker, which balances everything out. This balance is why it’s so important to have your tires rotated on a regular basis. If you want to make sure your tires last as long as possible and keep your car on the road, you should have your tires rotated every six months.

3. ALIGNMENT

Another important part of making sure your tires wear evenly is having your wheels aligned on occasion. Alignment ensures that your tires are making even contact with the roads in Keller, TX, which prevents the uneven wear that leads to you having to get your tires rotated. It’s important to find an auto repair shop where you can take your car for alignment and trust that you’re going to get the best results.

Alignment is a sort of touchy thing because different vehicles require different amounts of alignment. For example, a larger SUV or truck might only need two-wheel alignment because they often have solid rear axles, but that might not be the case with a car. Plus, your auto repair technician might need to do a little more work if your car has ever been involved in a collision. No matter what you drive, you should take your vehicle in for alignment services every couple of years.

4. BALANCING

In addition to having your wheels aligned to make sure your tires contact the ground evenly, you also need to make sure they’re properly balanced. Tire balance refers to the weight distribution of the wheel, which affects how the wheel contacts the ground and, in turn, how your tires wear. For the best results, you should have an experienced car professional balance your tires when you’re having them installed for the first time.

It’s also important to have your tires balanced every once in a while after they’re installed. The good news is, this is a fairly quick process that any good auto repair technician can handle, so it won’t take you long or cost you much. You should have your tires balanced every 7,000 miles or so if you want to keep them in good shape and performing at their peak.

5. CHOOSING THE RIGHT TIRES

One of the biggest things you have to consider when it comes to the lifespan of your tires is the fact that different tires last different amounts of time. While some tires are designed for durability, others may have a stronger focus on comfort or noise reduction. If you want your tires to last a long time, you have to make sure you’re investing in the right tires in the first place.

Part of what you need to consider when it comes to tires is the terrain you drive on. If you spend a lot of your time on gravel and dirt roads, you might want to invest in all-terrain tires that are designed to handle that. For a larger vehicle, you want tires that are specifically designed for durability. The best thing you can do when you’re shopping for a new set of tires is talk to an auto repair expert about your best options.

GIVE US A CALL

Your tires are crucial when it comes to keeping you safe on the road, so you need to take care of them. Unfortunately, it also takes a lot of work to make sure your tires are always in good shape.

If you’re looking for quality auto repair and maintenance services in Keller, TXImport Car Center has you covered. Whether you’ve got a Volkswagen, Mercedes or Porsche, our technicians know how to do the job right. If you need help keeping your tires road-ready, give us a call at (817) 481-5665.

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