Few of us understand exactly how our cars work. We may have a vague idea, but we aren’t the types who will be able to diagnose a problem on our own; we rely upon mechanics for that. Cars are a bit of a mystery, which is why many people spend more money than they should by going straight to their mechanic for a problem that could be fixed through, say, simply calling tire companies or manufacturers — going straight to the source. Owners’ manuals all too often go untouched, and many of us end up treating minor issues like major ones. Alternatively, you could be the type of person who unintentionally neglects their vehicle, so worried about getting a costly bill from the mechanic that you wait until your car is nearly beyond repair to take it to the shop. Believe it or not, there are some problems that you can keep an eye on by yourself — and by paying attention to them, you’ll know when to take your vehicle into the shop and when you can fix it yourself or order a replacement. Often, the biggest problems facing our cars have to do with their tires. By knowing the ins and outs of your vehicle’s tires, you’ll be able to take better care of your car in general — and save money.
Flat Tires: Are They Always Irreparable?
Sometimes, a flat tire is caused by damage to the tire itself, in which case it’s best that you replace it as soon as possible. Often, you can rely on a car’s spare tire for a short time until a replacement comes in. You may want to call tire companies yourself to try and find the best deal in this case — but sometimes, whether it’s because of a manufacturing error or an error on the part of the mechanic who installed your tires, they’re underinflated from the start. This can be extremely frustrating, and can seriously affect the performance of your car. It’s estimated that cars that are driving with tires underinflated by at least 25% are three times more likely to get into accidents than cars with properly inflated tires. For that matter, underinflated tires are more likely to experience stress and damage, as well as irregular wear and loss of control. You may not even notice an underinflated tire at first, a tire can lose up to 50% of its inflation before it begins to look flat. Remember, underinflated tires don’t always have to be completely replaced — and if they do, sometimes you can save money by buying used tires from reputable tire companies. In some cases, however, a new replacement is the best option.
Winter Tires: Do We Really Need Them
Some drivers believe that winter tires are the results of marketing schemes on the part of tire companies — and this couldn’t be further from the truth. In areas experiencing severe winter weather, winter tires are a must if you want to drive safely. They’re especially necessary when your car is bulky and thus more prone to slipping on icy roads. You can’t always wait for the roads to be cleared before heading out — so make sure that your winter tires are in place well ahead of time. It doesn’t matter whether you have a front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, or four-wheel drive; all four winter tires need to be installed. Depending on your insurance company, installing winter tires can also save you 5% off your care insurance premium.
Alignment: When Do You Check?
Your car’s tires need to be properly aligned and rotated at all times — but it can be easy for them to get out of alignment without your noticing. As a general rule, it’s advisable that you have your alignment checked every 6,000 miles or every time your oil is changed. A rotation, on the other hand, should be done every 7,500 miles, or whenever your car manufacturer advises. If you take these matters seriously, your car will be in good shape for years to come.
