Vehicle Repair and Maintenance Needs That Improve Tire Health and Longevity

The average tire for a vehicle can cost anywhere from $100 to $200 — per tire — depending on whether the car is a lightweight sedan, large SUV, or truck. Specialty tires can cost almost two thousand dollars for a complete set, which is an investment worth protecting.

In addition to the average cost of a new tire, the average tread of a single tire lasts around three or four years, which means you’ll likely replace the tires on your vehicle a few times during your ownership.

Luckily, you can help protect the investment you make in your vehicle’s tires by performing certain maintenance and repair tasks. Here are three vehicle repair or maintenance needs that improve tire health and longevity. Your tire specialist will perform these services in their shop.

Suspension Repair

Your vehicle’s suspension is responsible for allowing your car to travel smoothly when in motion. Suspension struts absorb the shock of the road, limiting the stress placed on your vehicle’s main frame, engine components, and tires.

Suspension on your vehicle also assists in tire health by allowing you to regain better control of your car. When you can safely keep your vehicle on the road and not run into issues with shaking, jagged motions, or bumping and jolting when you drive, you protect against tire wear and prevent your tires from stress and strain — all while making your car more comfortable and enjoyable to drive.

If your car dips down when you slow down or stop, halts and jolts when you drive, or bounces erratically when going over uneven terrain, ask your tire specialist to check your suspension. Struts can wear out due to harsh driving techniques or regular wear and tear. Have your tire specialist inspect and rotate your tires as part of your service.

Brake Repair

Your car’s brakes are responsible for making your tires stop completely. Faulty brakes put strain on your tires and cause the tread to wear out more quickly and unevenly, which leads to worn and unreliable tire grip.

Worn tires also place strain on brakes and interrupt the braking process and speed, so having healthy brakes and tires is key to your car’s overall control safety.

If your brakes are slow to respond, squeal or groan, make a clanging sound, or feel like there is air in the line when you pump the brake pedal, take your car in for an inspection right away. Brake pads may need to be replaced, fluid changed or filled, or your brakes may need to have the air bled out of the lines.

While you can change your brakes on your own, it’s often more cost-effective and time-saving to let a specialist do this work for you.

Alignment and Tire Rotation

A maintenance measure that will help keep your tires in healthy condition is keeping your tires aligned — or placing equal vehicle pressure and weight on each tire — and rotating your wheels periodically. The goal of these two procedures is to allow for even tire wear so the tread on all four tires wears straight without weak points, waves, bumps, or bald areas.

Tire alignment and rotation are not the same, so speak to your tire specialist right away to see which of these vehicle maintenance needs are necessary for your vehicle.

In general, your car’s tires may need to be aligned if your vehicle pulls to one side over another when driving or if you see uneven tire wear. Tire rotation, or moving your front tires to the back, should be done periodically based on how many miles you put on your car.

Keeping your car in healthy condition will preserve your tires longer. For great-priced tires and quality service, visit us at Ramona Tire & Service Centers today.