As you are probably getting ready to hit the road for your vacation, a few small revisions are necessary regarding the maintenance of your car. We therefore offer you some advice to help you maintain your tires to avoid flat tires on the roads and other small inconveniences that could spoil your vacation.
How to install a tire?
This is probably the first question we ask ourselves when we hit the road. What should we do if we need to change a tire ? Because if something bad happens to you on the road, it is better to be able to react quickly so as not to encroach too much on your vacation and to limit minor car problems as much as possible. Poor tire maintenance can cause a flat tire.
The first thing to do is to wedge your tires well to avoid any movement of the vehicle during the operation. If you are on the side of the road, use heavy stones. The ideal is to have wedges at hand. Then, you must arm yourself with your jack and prepare your spare tire.
Under the chassis of your car, you should find a small notch that tells you where to place the jack. This is because if you place it in the wrong place, it may damage the plastic of the car.
To change your tire, raise the jack until it locks. Make sure it is straight and perpendicular to the ground. You now need to remove the hubcap and nuts before lifting the tire off the ground using your jack. All you have to do now is remove your wheel and install the new one on the hub, then tighten the bolts until it locks. Changing your tire properly is a start to maintaining your tires!
When should you change your tires?
Before you hit the road , remember to prepare a checklist for your vehicle. Don’t forget to check your tires! There are many signs to indicate the state of wear. Thus, on each one, you can find a wear indicator. It is located at the bottom of the main grooves and allows you to assess the condition of your tires.
Be careful, if the tire surface has reached this level of wear, it means that you need to change your tire. Indeed, the slightest negligence can have serious consequences for you or your passengers. It is therefore better to be careful and maintain your tires well.
Other signs can alert you, starting with an abnormal deformation. Indeed, if you notice a deformation on your tire, it is better to change it because it could end up bursting. Whether it is cracks or bumps, there is no point in delaying the tire change. Arm yourself with your jack or make an appointment with your garage.
When it comes to maintaining your tires to avoid these problems, there are two things you should do: check their pressure carefully and avoid using roads that are not suitable for your tires. Maintaining your tires properly will help extend their lifespan as much as possible!
Where to store your spare tires?
You who are provident, you surely have one or two spare tires. But do you know where to keep them? A tire stored in an unsuitable place will be less resistant, which is why you have to be vigilant. Rather than in the trunk, it is better to store your tires in a dry place and at a low temperature, also, it is preferable to store them vertically.
Finally, avoid installing them between or under heavy objects that could deform them. Maintaining your tires properly means ensuring a safer road! If you are planning a ski trip, check out this article to properly prepare your vehicle.