“For want of a nail the horseshoe was lost, for
want of a horseshoe the steed was lost, for want of a
steed the message was not delivered, for want of
an undelivered message the war was lost”
 – Japanese proverb.

The most important thing to maintain are your tires. Tires are shoes for your car, and without them, you aren’t going anywhere. If you follow these simple tips, your tires will last longer, perform better, save you money and save the environment from harmful pollution. Remember, more tires means more landfills.

Tires should be checked once a month for the following:


Air Presure

The facts

  • 95% of the weight of the car is supported by air pressure and 5% by the actual tire.

  • An under inflated tire can affect acceleration, steering, braking and traction. It increases rolling resistance on the road, which reduces tread life and increases fuel consumption. A tire under inflated by 8 psi can reduce the life of a tire by 15,000 km and cause a 4% increase in fuel consumption.

  •  Driving with one tire 20% under inflated will reduce tire life by 6 months and will lead to an increase in gas consumption, equivalent to 2 weeks worth of fuel per year.

  • Over inflated tires cause similar problems as under inflated tires.

  • Don't forget to check the spare!


How to inflate tires correctly

  • Get a tire pressure gauge and measure the pressures in each tire when the tires are cold (i.e. stationary
    for 3 hours or if they have not been driven more than 2 km).

  • Locate the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended pressures. These are usually attached to the driver’s door, as seen in the image. If you can’t find the label check your owner’s manual.

  • Inflate the tires to the correct pressures. Don’t use the pressure indicated on the tire, that is the
    Maximum     pressure; this is not the recommended pressure.
  • You may want to verify the tire pressure at a garage to ensure that your tire pressure gauge is
    working accurately.
  • Do not over inflate the tires either; it will yield similar problems as under inflated tires.

In Quebec our winters are often dreadfully cold, and according to Joseph Louis Gay-Lussac’s Law, the pressure is directly proportional to the temperature. In other words, if the temperature goes up, the pressure goes up, and if the temperature goes down, so does the pressure. For us living in Quebec that means that when the weather gets cold in the winter, our tires lose pressure, and we should be extra  vigilant in the winter time to check our tires' pressure.


 

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Tire Inspection for damage or leaks

After checking the tire pressure, the next most important thing to look for on your tires is anything that could cause a leak such as, broken glass, stones, or nails. If left unchecked, they are not only dangerous to your safety, but they could also be causing your tire pressure to go down, costing you and the environment a lot. If you notice cuts, cracks or bulges in the sidewall, the tire should be replaced immediately or risk getting a flat tire while traveling

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Wheel Alignment

  • You should have your tires aligned once a year (ideally late spring, when all the winter potholes have been filled) or as soon as you notice uneven wear on your tires.

  • If your wheels are not aligned, the tires will wear unevenly and thus shorten their lifespan. You will have handling problems and of course an increase in fuel consumption.

  • If you feel pounding or shaking through the steering wheel, this could mean that you need an alignment.

  • Improper wheel alignment not only shortens the life of your tires, but it can also shorten the life of
    suspension components.

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Rotation of the tires
 

It is a common practice to rotate your tires every 10,000 km because the front tires, which are used for steering, wear differently from the rear ones. Rotating your tires ensures that you get the most mileage out of the tires for your money’s worth. Check your car manufacturer’s recommendation in your owner’s manual to see how often you should rotate your tires for your particular vehicle.

 

Replacing tires – When should I?

  • Tires should be changed when the tread wears even.

  • When replacing your tires make sure you get same size, load capacity, and speed rating as the original
    tires that came with the car. It is highly recommended that you install the same type of tire on all 4
    wheels. This is to ensure that your car handles properly. For more information be sure to check out
     http://www.betiresmart.ca.

  • Living in a northern climate, we also need winter tires on our cars.

    • When shopping for winter tires, be sure to check for this "winter ready" symbol.

    • No matter what people or advertisements may tell you, all season tires are not designed for snow and ice covered roads. Winter tires are specifically designed to be used when temperatures are below 7°.

    • At low temperatures, tires lose their elasticity and as such they cannot grip the road as well, which leads to reduced traction. Winter tires are designed to retain their elasticity, even at extremely low temperatures.

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