(NC) This past winter season, the roads weren’t as busy as usual. Canadians drove less due to the pandemic, and many people worked from home. As a result, many drivers decided not to switch to winter tires.
Unfortunately, skipping your seasonal winter tire changeover might have caused you to overlook some routine maintenance, possibly causing adverse effects on your tires. Gear up for the spring roads ahead with these tips from the experts at OK Tire:
Tire pressure
Incorrectly inflated tires will affect the vehicle’s ride, handling and fuel economy. Studies have shown that underinflated tires can significantly increase your fuel consumption. Make sure to check your spare tire pressure as well you dont want any surprises in an emergency situation where you may need to install your spare. Carry a tire-pressure gauge in your car.
Tire grip
Check the tread depth on your tires regularly to look for wear and tear. When the tread wears down, your tires have less traction to adhere to the road. Driving on your all-season tires through the winter may have worn them down faster than you had expected.
An easy trick for checking tire tread depth is placing a quarter in one of the tire grooves with the caribou facing down. If you see the tip of its nose, it means the tread depth is no longer safe, and you need to change your tires. If in doubt, ask your local automotive service provider to verify it for you.
Cracked tires
All-season tires can lose their elasticity and crack from driving in cold weather conditions, causing irreparable damage that renders your driving unsafe. This is a sign that you need to get your tires replaced at your nearest automotive service provider and catch up on any routine checkups you missed.
If you’re worried about needing new tires, there are many options out there. For example, Blackhawk tires are known for their durability, strength, ability to grip the pavement, and agility in roadhandling. Best of all, theyre affordable and won’t break the bank.
Fluids and oils
Your vehicle contains many moving parts that are very susceptible to wear and tear if proper lubrication schedules arent followed. Most fluids are monitored by a gauge of some sort, such as an oil-pressure gauge or a temperature gauge, while others need to be checked manually. Form a habit of inspecting these gauges loss of any of these vital fluids could cause expensive damage to your vehicle.
