When To Have Your Tires Inspected And Serviced
Posted on: 30 April 2018
Tire maintenance is an important part of car ownership that you don't want to overlook. A bad tire could cause you to be in an accident, or at the very least go flat and be a major inconvenience. You should have your tires inspected and serviced on a regular schedule to keep them ready for the road. Here are some tips on when it's a good idea to visit a mechanic for tire service.
When You Have an Oil Change
You can establish the habit of having your tires rotated every time you have an oil change on your car. This makes it easy to remember. However, you may need to follow other instructions from your mechanic if you have a car that allows long stretches between oil changes or if you do high-performance driving. The average car that does typical driving should be able to have the oil changed and the tires serviced on the same schedule, which makes things easier for you. This will be determined by how quickly you put miles on your car, which might average out to about every six months.
Before You Go on a Long Trip
It's always a good idea to have your tires checked and serviced early if needed before you head out on a long trip. You'll want to ensure the tires are inflated properly and that there are no signs of uneven wear that could cause a tire to not grip the road or go flat when driving long distances every day. This can be done along with an overall check of the other systems of your car to make sure the entire car is road ready.
After You've Replaced a Flat
When you have a flat tire and have it repaired or replaced with the spare or a new tire, you'll want to have all your tires balanced. You may even need to have them rotated so the tires will wear more evenly and handle well when you drive. If your tires are old, you may need to buy at least one more new tire so you'll have two new ones on back, and then move the older ones to the front for better handling.
At the Change of Seasons
If you have all-season tires, you might not need to change them when winter approaches, although you might want to have snow chains put on under certain conditions. However, if you have summer tires on your car so the tires will grip the road better in rainy conditions, then you'll want to have your tires changed to winter tires when there is the threat of ice and snow. Even if you change the tires yourself, you'll want to have them balanced afterward. Then, you'll need the winter tires taken off when the weather turns warm again.
Most of the time, your tires can be serviced along with other routine car care. However, if you notice bumps, balding areas, or other problems with your tires, you should have them checked right away and not wait for a regular service call.
Share