3 Things You Need To Know About Tires As A New Driver

If you are a new driver, you need to understand not just how to drive on the road, but how to take care of your car in a manner that will keep you and other drivers on the road safe.

#1 Rotation

When you drive, your vehicle puts pressure on your tires. Depending on if you have a rear wheel drive, front wheel drive, or all-wheel drive vehicle, different pressure is put on your front and back tires and on the left and right sides of your vehicle. This pressure can cause your vehicle's tires to wear down at different rates over time.

In order to even out the way that your tires wear down, you need to rotate your tires. This will ensure that your tires wear down evenly so that you don't have to replace them at different times but can replace your entire set of tires all at once, which is the best way to replace your tires.

A good rule of thumb is to have your tires rotated after every other oil change. Many times, the tire company where you bought your tires will rotate them for free after your car has hit certain mileage thresholds.

#2 Tread

The second thing that you need to keep an eye on with your tires is the tread on your tires. The tread is the surface of your tires that makes contact with the road. The tread is what allows your tires to grip the road.

You should check the tread on your tires every few weeks. If you notice that the tread on your tires is wearing unevenly, that is your vehicle's way of letting you know that something is up. Oftentimes, when the alignment or suspension is off, your tires will not wear evenly. If you notice uneven tread on your tires, you are going to want to take your vehicle in to figure out what is behind this uneven wear pattern. Doing this will protect your vehicle and will help extend the life of your tires.

Additionally, you need to keep an eye on the rate that your tires' tread wears down. Once it starts to get low and your tires look smooth and start to lose their texture, you are going to want to replace your tires.

#3 Pressure

Finally, the matter that you need to attend to the most with your tires is the tire pressure. The pressure in your tires can change as the outside air temperatures change and the air inside of your tires either expands or contracts. It is a good idea to check the pressure in your tires once a month or whenever the weather drastically changes.

Inside of your driver door or in the driver's manual should be a list that tells you what tire pressure you should maintain for your vehicle. You can get a gauge that allows you to check your tire pressure yourself, or you can pull through an oil change place and have them check and adjust your tire pressure. 

For more information, talk to companies like Crossroads Collision Center.

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