Tires, can’t live with them, can’t live without them! While they aren’t perfect, tires keep your vehicle on the road. That’s one of many reasons to keep them in top shape. Maintenance can impact vehicle performance, safety, and longevity, so it shouldn’t be overlooked.
Today, we will discuss the importance of rotation schedules, choosing the right tires, tread science, and seasonal changes. Let us break down everything you need about tires in our comprehensive guide.
Tire Rotation Schedules
Rotating your tires is essential for many reasons, but the most important is preventing uneven wear. If you don’t rotate your tires regularly, you’re taking a risk on the road.
When to Rotate Your Tires
While there isn’t a universal tire rotation schedule for everyone, you should generally rotate your tires every 8,000 to 10,000 kilometres. Your driving habits affect this. For example, someone who regularly commutes to work on the highway will need tire services like tire rotation more often than someone working from home and only driving on the weekends.
Risks of Not Rotating Your Tires
If you don’t rotate your tires, you are taking a risk. Regular tire rotations are recommended to avoid premature tire damage. Additionally, it can help prevent the following:
- Uneven Tire Wear: Some tires will wear faster than others if you don’t rotate your tires regularly. As a result, your vehicle may feel unbalanced and uncomfortable to drive.
- Poor Handling: As we already mentioned, not regularly rotating your tires can cause uneven wear, which can make your steering and overall handling feel clunky.
- Vehicle Veering Off to One Side: If you feel like your car is moving to one side of the road, your tires are unevenly wearing. This can be dangerous for you and other drivers.
- Shorter Tire Lifespans: If you do not rotate your tires, one side takes all the wear. This can be problematic because it can lead to costly replacements.
Choosing the Right Tires
When you’re driving around, you probably don’t think much about your tires. However, you should be. Driving with the wrong tires can be dangerous if you aren’t prepared for the conditions.
Types of Tires
Calgary is known for its harsh winters. Because of this, you need to know when to change your tires. Additionally, you need to understand the different types of tires available. These include:
- Summer Tires: These tires are used during the warmer months and are best used when the weather is above 7 degrees Celsius.
- All-Season Tires: Similar to their counterparts, these tires are best for warmer weather. However, they offer additional traction and can work until snow hits the ground.
- Winter Tires: When the temperatures drop below freezing, it’s time to switch to winter tires. They prevent you from sliding on the ice and have a better grip on the road.
Tread Science
There are several tire tread patterns, some symmetric and others asymmetric. While they may seem insignificant at first glance, they make a difference. Understanding tire science will help you choose the right tires for your vehicle and ensure proper tire installation for optimal performance.
How Treads Impact Tire Performance
Treads make a difference in how well your tires perform in certain conditions. Keep this in mind when shopping around for tires. They influence the following:
- Traction: Treads intend to grip the road’s surface, so your vehicle doesn’t slide. One of the best parts about treads is their ability to keep water and debris out of the way.
- Handling: Good treads help with cornering and overall handling. Deep grooves and channels offer improved grip and stability, making it easier to steer even in bad weather conditions.
- Safety: Treads keep you safer by helping you brake and accelerate smoothly. They also lower your chances of hydroplaning because water is less likely to build up.
Understanding Tread Depth
Tread depth can alter how your vehicle performs on the road, which is why you should get your treads checked regularly. Shallow treads can affect your ability to brake and take on corners. Be sure to replace worn tires sooner rather than later to avoid safety hazards.
Seasonal Tire Changes
When summer fades to fall and the leaves start changing colour, you don’t have to worry about changing your tires. However, when you hear a significant snowfall approaching, you should prepare your tires. Seasonal tire changes are essential to staying safe on the road.
When to Change Your Tires
When temperatures drop below 7 degrees Celsius consistently, you should get ready to change your tires. Winter tires have thick treads that are designed for snowy and icy conditions. Summer and all-season tires, despite their name, won’t work well. Here are some of the advantages of winter tires:
- Better Traction: Winter tires have deep treads and rubber compounds designed for colder temperatures. They offer improved grip and stability in winter driving conditions.
- Shorter Stopping Distances: When the roads freeze over, you’ll find yourself braking sooner. Winter tires offer better traction and allow you to stop sooner. This is done by moving snow, water, and slush away from the tire’s surface.
- Overall Improved Performance: Winter tires are designed to thrive in cold weather. By maintaining their flexibility, they are consistent even when the roads are cold and dry. Don’t worry about tire failure or poor handling.
Keep Your Tires in Top Shape
There’s a whole science behind tires that you probably never knew about. However, with your newfound knowledge, you can establish a tire rotation schedule, choose the right tires, understand tread science, and get the appropriate seasonal tire changes. For best results, get help from an experienced tire technician. My Calgary Mechanic is here for all your tire needs.
Are you ready to keep your tires in top shape? Contact us today to get started!
