Flat Tires
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Benjamin Franklin’s wise words ring true when it comes to flat tires: the best way to not have to deal with them is to prevent them in the first place. Here are 5 ways to prevent a flat tire.
1. Check the tire pressure regularly.
Checking the pressure in your tires twice a month is good. If you are unsure how to do this, ask a friend or your local mechanic or check YouTube for a quick tutorial.
2. Rotate your tires every 6 months or so.
Double check your owner’s manual, though, to see how often your vehicle needs it done. Tire rotation is important because it ensures all of the tires’ treads get worn down equally.
3. Be cautious where you drive.
This may seem like common sense but avoid construction sites and other areas that are likely to have a lot of nails, screws, etc. lying around. Don’t drive where there’s a lot of broken glass and debris that could puncture your tires.
4. Make sure your brakes are in good shape.
According to selectautoimports.com, “Poorly adjusted brakes will create uneven wear on the wheels, which results in uneven wear on the tires.” It’s important that you take good care of your brakes so that if you have to sharply stop or turn, your brakes and wheels can work together instead of your wheels carrying the brunt of the load.
5. Be mindful of how heavy a load your car can take.
Overloaded tires lead to broken tires. Try to evenly load your car, and make sure the load isn’t too heavy for the size of vehicle you have.