Your car’s tires endure poorly maintained roads, weather-related pressure changes, and potholes. All of these factors can cause unnecessary tread wear. Without proper maintenance, tires can wear down and increase the risk of blowouts while on the road. Review these tips for avoiding blowouts and flat tires caused by premature wear.

How to Minimize Tire Wear

1. Travel Light

Avoid driving with heavy loads. The extra weight puts pressure on your tires and contributes to overheating, which can lead to flat tires and blowouts.

Heavy loads also tax your engine and cause it to use more fuel. Help your tires and fuel economy by sorting your trunk and cabin to remove unnecessary items.

2. Be Mindful When You Drive

Look for road hazards such as potholes and sharp objects that cause tire wear and punctures. Navigate around them as long as it’s safe, and practice other driving habits that won’t cause your tires to overheat, such as slowing down to turn and stop. Follow the speed limit and keep up with traffic instead of driving too fast.  

3. Schedule Routine Rotations

Get your tires rotated about every six months. Regular rotations help ensure even wear since front tires do most of the turning and wear out faster.

Also, have the wheel alignment checked, as misalignments cause tires to wear. They also cause handling problems, and you might notice the vehicle pulling to one side.

4. Check the Pressure

Purchase a pressure gauge to check tire pressure about once a month, especially during extreme weather. Cold temperatures lower tire pressure because cool air doesn’t take up as much volume as hot air. Under-inflated tires increase wear because they make more contact with the road, while over-inflated tires risk blowouts because of high pressure. 

If you get a flat tire despite your best efforts, rely on Cogswell Towing for roadside assistance. The towing company serves Russellville, Danville, and Morrilton, AR, providing 24/7 services for flat tires and other emergencies since 1949. Since the towing company is part of the Cogswell Motors family, your vehicle will get towed to their body shop to avoid using separate services. Call (479) 968-4665 or visit the company online for more information on their towing services. Like the Facebook page for additional vehicle maintenance tips.