As you may know, your tires are one of the most important safety components on your vehicle. Make sure you're not making common tire mistakes that can lead to blowouts, reduced traction, and hazardous driving conditions. Read on to learn key tire maintenance errors to avoid.

1. Neglecting Rotation

In our experience, rotating your tires every 5,000 to 8,000 miles ensures they wear evenly for maximum life. Avoiding rotations can lead to uneven tread wear that reduces traction. It also causes some tires to wear out prematurely, forcing you to replace them much sooner. Don’t put off tire rotation; it's quick and inexpensive to get done.

2. Overlooking Alignment

Proper wheel alignment keeps your tires running straight and perpendicular to the road. If the alignment is off, tires drag and slide which leads to uneven tread wear on the edges. It's easy to overlook alignment, but this mistake accelerates uneven wear and tire damage. Have alignment checked regularly, especially after new tire installation.

3. Underinflating Tires

Driving on underinflated tires is extremely hazardous. Low pressure causes excess heat buildup, uneven wear, poor handling, and blowout risk. Check inflation monthly when tires are cold and refill to the vehicle's or tire manufacturer's recommended PSI. Invest in a quality air pressure gauge for checks. Keeping tires inflated correctly extends their life exponentially.

4. Replacing Only One

When a tire needs replacement, resist the urge to only buy one new tire. Differing tread depths between old and new tires alters traction and handling. Always replace complete sets of the same make and model for safety. Stagger the new set on the rear wheels first to avoid any traction loss up front while the set breaks in.

5. Using the Spare Long-Term

The spare is meant only for temporary use until you can replace the full-size tire. Driving long distances and at high speeds on a compact spare causes overheating and damage. The smaller size also negatively impacts handling. Limit spare use to the bare minimum. Get that new replacement tire installed promptly.

6. Not Properly Storing Your Tires

Some people change tires with the seasons. However, they improperly store the tires when they're not in use. According to the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association, you should always store your tires in a clean, dry, cool, and well-ventilated place to prevent damage caused by heat, sunlight, or chemicals.

With simple routine tire maintenance and avoiding these common mistakes, your tires will provide many miles of safe, dependable service. Are you overdue for tire services? We can help. Contact our team at Pro Custom & Tire today.