For years, car tires have looked after drivers. We have tested them with all the steering input, breaking force and ranges of motion, and they have delivered. Unfortunately, we do little to return the favor. It is therefore time, to show some love and support to our tires. This love is even more important during the summer. Below are tips that can help you protect your car’s tire from the gruesome summer heat.
Preparation and Inspection
Summer is an ideal time to pamper your tires and show your love for them. Firstly, clean your tires; this will remove any road grime, dust or other tiny particles from the tires. Often times, tiny specks of dust or debris under the influence of the heat will erode the tires while your car is sitting. Cleaning is fairly easy, you can do it with a sponge, bucket and damp cloth, however, try to avoid a pressure washer since it can damage the tire’s sidewalls.
UV blocker Coating Tips
Once you clean the tires, dry them, and move on to applying a solvent free tire dressing. This can help protect the tires from invasive elements, and dangerous UV rays. Tires are not friendly to the UV rays and thus, the application of a UV resistant solvent can prevent UV penetration.
Tips to Check Tread Depth
A bad tread depth is a clear indication that you need to add tires to your shopping list. Checking the tread conditions is easy, all you have to do is use a tool. A tool such as a tread depth gauge is very useful. However, if you do not have one, you can also use a coin.
The rim that makes up the outside of a coin is about 2.7mm. This means that by inserting the coin in between the treads, you can tell whether the tread is below the 3mm depth. If this is the case, then it is a clear indication that you need a tire replacement.
Get the Car Elevated
If you plan to leave the car parked for a long time, then you have to consider that the tire will be under plenty of stress and weight. This prolonged stress can put your tires at the risk of flat-spotting and weakening. This is why, the best ways to avoid this issue, is to get your car in the air, whether it involves axle stands, lifts or other methods.
Over Inflate your Tires
Over inflating the tires keeps the wheels from undergoing constant pressure due to the heat. This gives the tire more support. Check the owner’s manual for optimum pressure to leave your car parked in the summer. Following these tips, you can ensure that your tires stay in good shape, all year round, let alone summers.