Tire maintenance: How to keep your tires running for as long as possible

Tires are an essential part of any vehicle. They provide contact between the vehicle and the road. As a result, they contribute significantly to safety. That’s why it’s important to check and clean your tires regularly.

In addition, proper tire maintenance will help extend the life of your tires and keep you safe on the road. Regular checks are essential to prevent damage and wear.

Pay attention to the following 9 tips for tire maintenance

1. Tire Pressure: Check tire pressure at least once a month and before long trips. Properly inflated tires increase safety on the road and prevent excessive tire wear. The correct tire pressure is specified for each vehicle and can be found in the owner’s manual, on the fuel filler flap, on the door jamb, on the inside of the fuel filler cap, or in the manufacturer’s inflation chart.
2. Tire Rotation: Replace all tires at regular intervals of approximately 5,000 to 10,000 kilometers.
3. Visual Inspection: Inspect your tires for damage regularly, ideally once a month. If damage is found or suspected, we recommend having the tire inspected by a professional.
4. Tire Damage: Leave the repair of tire damage to a professional and seek the advice of a tire specialist.
5. Balancing: Have your tires balanced by an authorized dealer. This will help prevent premature aging and vibration.
6. Axle Alignment: Have wheels and axles properly aligned to avoid wheel misalignment, which can compromise driving safety and increase tire wear.
7. Avoid Curb Hits: Avoid curb hits and similar tire damage to prevent unnecessary wear and extend tire life.
8. Valves and valve caps: Regularly check that valves and valve caps are tight and have the correct inflation pressure.
9. Tire Storage: Store unused tires in a cool, dry, dark place. Avoid storing them on top of each other for extended periods of time and keep them away from chemicals, solvents, oil, grease, and potentially electrically charged materials.

The optimal maintenance of tires is a contribution to the safety on the road and to the saving of costs.

Cleaning the tires

Tires should be cleaned regularly. This will extend their life and increase their safety.

Cleaning should be done with a mild detergent and a sponge or brush.

After cleaning, rinse the tires with clean water and wipe them dry with a cloth.

The following tips will help you clean your tires

• Use a mild detergent that does not scrub. Harsh detergents can damage the tires.
• Use a sponge or brush to clean the tires. Do not use a pressure washer to clean the tires, as this can damage the rubber.
• Rinse the tires with clean water. This will remove detergent and dirt particles.
• Dry the tires with a cloth. This will help prevent water spots.
• Do not use aggressive cleaning products such as gasoline or solvents. These may damage the tires.
• Do not clean the tires in direct sunlight. This can damage the tires.

As you have probably noticed, a little care and attention can extend the life of your tires and prevent accidents.