Thanks to the overall quality of modern vehicles, there is very little you need to worry about as the driver and owner. Sure, you need to keep track of a few things, like keeping gas in the tank and having the oil changed periodically, but it's a pretty short list. By working with a good service department - like the one at Taylor & Sons Chevrolet - it's pretty easy to stay on top of everything your vehicle needs to do its job.
In this article, we'd like to highlight the importance of one maintenance point you may be overlooking at the moment - maintaining your tire pressure. It's best to keep your tire pressure consistent within a range that is suitable for your vehicle and the tire itself. Let's take a moment to highlight why this is a maintenance task worth keeping on your list.
Optimize Gas Mileage
Even if you don't drive a particularly efficient vehicle, we can all appreciate getting the maximum number of miles from each gallon of gas. Believe it or not, keeping your tires at an appropriate pressure can actually have a positive impact on your gas mileage. If your tires are underinflated, for example, you will create more rolling resistance as you move along. That means your vehicle will have to work a little harder than it would otherwise to go the same distance. Working harder means using more gas, and ultimately, your MPG number is going to drop. If it seems like you have been stopping at the gas station a little more frequently in recent weeks, it could be that your tire pressure needs a review.
Make Your Tires Last
This is another point that can help you save money in the long run. In addition to buying less gas, keeping your tires at the right pressure will also help those tires to last longer - meaning you won't have to buy new ones as quickly. Underinflated tires are going to make more contact with the road than tires which are inflated properly - and making more contact with the road means more wear. A full set of tires will easily set you back a few hundred dollars, if not more, so making the current set last as long as possible is desirable. Of course, you should never put savings in front of safety, so be sure to replace the tires before they wear to the point of becoming dangerous.
Going Too Far
It's more common for tires to be underinflated than overinflated, as many drivers just ignore their tire pressure as it gradually drops over time. However, it is certainly possible to overinflate your tires, and that mistake can come with its own concerns. If you drive around on tires which are holding too much air, some of the potential problems include the following.
• Rough ride. A comfortable ride is something that modern drivers take for granted. Most modern passenger vehicles are extremely comfortable, offering a mostly smooth ride with a combination of features working together to even out the bumps in the road. However, if you overinflate your tires, you may soon find that your ride is no longer so comfortable. Having too much air in your tires can make the ride rather harsh, which is something that will soon grow old as you go about your daily routine.
• Wear problems. As you add more and more air to your tires, you are going to be shrinking the amount of tire that actually contacts the road as you drive. This is known as the 'contact patch', and you want to strike a nice balance between too much and not enough. Without enough tire contacting the road, you might notice reduced control over the vehicle, especially in adverse weather conditions. And, even if control isn't a problem, it's likely that the center of the tire will wear out prematurely since it is bearing all of the burden as the car travels along.
• Potential blowout. When the tires are significantly overinflated, you may run the risk of a dangerous blowout. Obviously, having a tire blowout while the vehicle is traveling at a high speed is an extremely scary incident and one which can put both you and others on the road at risk.
There is plenty of motivation to keep your tires inflated at an appropriate pressure. Making a big error in either direction - too little air or too much - is going to cause your vehicle to operate at something less than its capability. Given the modest commitment required to monitor your tire pressure, it's well worth your time and effort to make sure you have the right amount of air in each tire as you drive.
Getting Some Help
The good news is you don't need to feel like you are out there on your own when it comes to tire pressure. Sure, it's possible to manage this job yourself - both checking the tire pressure and adding air as necessary - but you don't have to take the DIY approach if you'd rather have some assistance. Working with a shop like the one found at Taylor & Sons Chevrolet is an easy way to stay on top of this maintenance point. With our help, you can periodically check on the air in your tires to confirm they are staying on track. Of course, in addition to monitoring air pressure, we can also serve your vehicle in many other ways. With the help of our professional team, caring for your vehicle as the miles add up will be an easy task.
Taylor & Sons Chevrolet is proud to offer great service to each and every one of our customers. When your vehicle needs attention, please give us a call to discuss what we can provide. And, of course, when you are in the market for a new vehicle, we would love to be your first stop in the shopping process. Thank you for taking the time to visit our site, and we are excited to serve you!