{"id":5006,"date":"2022-12-10T00:33:00","date_gmt":"2022-12-10T00:33:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/?p=5006"},"modified":"2023-06-20T21:56:28","modified_gmt":"2023-06-20T21:56:28","slug":"tire-care-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.freeway.com\/knowledge-center\/auto\/auto-tips\/tire-care-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Essential Tire Care Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Your tires are responsible for everything from handling to stopping your vehicle. Because they are a critical part of the driving experience, tire care and tire safety should be priorities for any driver. Learning some essential tire care tips will help keep you safe on the road. Additionally, having adequate auto insurance<\/a> coverage can help protect you financially in case of an accident or damage caused by tire failure or other tire-related issues.<\/div>\n
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Combine these essential tire care tips with a solid <\/span>tire hazard protection plan<\/span><\/a>\u00a0and you\u2019ll be good to set out on the road trip of your dreams.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Don\u2019t Buy Cheap Tires<\/span><\/h2>\n

Countless people ask, \u201care cheap tires dangerous?\u201d The answer is a resounding \u201cyes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cheap tires tend to have a longer braking distance and poor traction performance on ice and snow. They are also extremely loud and don\u2019t last as long as more expensive ones. Quality brands often last three times longer than cheap choices, so you will actually lose money in the long run if you buy the most inexpensive ones you find.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>2. Don\u2019t Drive on Worn Tires<\/span><\/h2>\n

Next, you might wonder, \u201chow dangerous are worn tires?\u201d They are incredibly dangerous, even when at half-tread.<\/span> Consumer Reports tested worn tires<\/span><\/a>, and the results were stunning. They are more likely to hydroplane, and it takes them longer to stop in bad weather. They also have low traction in the snow.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A tire\u2019s tread isn\u2019t just a safety concern\u2014it\u2019s also a matter of fuel efficiency. Driving on worn down tires reduces your fuel economy because it adds to your vehicle\u2019s resistance, i.e., how much effort it takes for your vehicle to physically move itself.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Wondering whether your tire tread passes the test? Some tires have built-in tread wear indicators. These come in the form of wear bears that are built into tire grooves. Once the wear bars have worn down, you know that it\u2019s time to replace your tire.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Another way to test your tire tread depth is with the penny test. To perform the penny test, you should take a U.S. penny and position it so that the \u201cheads\u201d side is facing you. Turn the penny upside down so that the head is pointing towards the ground. Stick the penny in the rib of your tire. If you can see Lincoln\u2019s entire head, then your tires are likely worn down and in need of replacement.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Replace Old Tires<\/span>
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Your tires are getting up there in age, and you want to know, \u201care old tires safe?\u201d You should replace old tires, even if they still have deep tread depths. Old tires can wear down, impacting handling and drivability. The tread can even separate from the tire when it\u2019s too old. As a general rule, a good schedule for replacing your tires is every six years (even if they still look like they\u2019re in good shape).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You don\u2019t need to necessarily replace your tires with new tires every time. But if you\u2019re buying tires secondhand, be sure to do your due diligence to make sure they\u2019re free of wear issues and other various damages.<\/span>
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4. Know How to Change a Tire<\/span>
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It\u2019s a good idea to know how to change a tire, even if you have <\/span>roadside assistance<\/span><\/a>. Let\u2019s go through the steps:<\/span><\/p>\n