What You Really Ought to Know About Your Car’s Tires

There is more to car tires that meet the eye. They are intricate and sophisticated components to nearly every type of vehicle in the world. Without properly functioning and maintained tires, a vehicle cannot perform to its best ability. There are several facets involved in tire performance, such as tire wear indicators, tire revolutions, tire pressure, tire tread, and more. Learning about these topics can be an excellent way to better understand the importance of routine tire maintenance and care.

Continue reading and get ready to learn some interesting facts about car tires and more!

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The Correlation Between Tire Pressure and RPM’s

There is in fact a link between tire pressure and the number of revolutions they take per mile. Proper tire pressure can affect a vehicles gas mileage and the integrity of tires as a whole. Properly inflated tires allow a vehicle to get the most mileage out of their tires, all while saving fuel. When tires are not inflated properly, they can cause the tires to unevenly wear down.

This, in turn, affects the number of tire revolutions per mile. Drive axels and more are at risk of damage due to over-inflated or under-inflated car tires. To combat this potential issue, be sure to check your vehicle’s tire pressure on a routine basis. Also, be sure to take your vehicle to a licensed auto shop for routine tire balancing and tire rotation services.

Be Aware of Your Tire Wear Indicator

Many people are unaware that tires have an indicator that “indicates” the degree of tire tread wear. These look like little nodules inside the grooves of your vehicle’s tire tread. Using mechanics, these indicators accurately gauge tire tread levels. Tire tread indicators are not blatantly visible on all vehicle tires. They may only be visible once the tread has worn out some. A tread depth tester tool is used in most mechanic shops to measure tire tread and assess the degree of wear and tear. This tool will indicate whether or not tires need to be replaced, and when. Keep in mind that front tires wear more quickly than rear tires do.

How to Measure the Depth of Tire Tread

For those who wish to measure the depth of their vehicle’s tires on their own without a tread tester tool, they have the option of trying the tire tread penny trick. Most states command that all vehicular tires must retain a tread depth of at least 2/32 of an inch thick. This state-mandated depth is measured from the top of the tire tread indicator to the top of the tire’s tread. The interesting part about this state standard is that a penny is exactly that!

So, it is easy to test whether or not your vehicle’s tires are at a legally depth. Simply place the penny on top of the indicator, with Abraham Lincoln upside down, and observe whether or not you can see the letters on the penny. If you cannot see the letters, your tire tread is still legal and in a good place. If you CAN see the letters, your tread depth is too low, and your tires will need to be replaced.

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Call Zore’s Inc. at 317-247-8484 for prompt and professional, 24 hour towing and roadside assistance services at an affordable price. Our licensed and insured wrecker operators provide punctual and prompt tow truck services throughout all of Central Indiana, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week! We also provide a wide range of municipal services, roadside wrecker and recovery services, and much more. Request a free estimate, anytime.

6 Spare Tire Facts You Need to Know

Flat Tire Service 317-247-8484

Flat Tire Service 317-247-8484

Being the responsible driver and vehicle owner that you are, you are sure to renew your license plate when necessary, pay your insurance on time, maintain a valid drivers’ license, stay on top of all scheduled maintenance, go the speed limit (most of the time anyway), and wear your seat belt. There is not much you’ve missed over the years in terms of driver/vehicle responsibility.

But there is one way you can kick it up a notch: Learn important and relative information about your vehicle’s spare tires! Your spare tires are a very important and beneficial component to you and your vehicle, but they tend to go unnoticed until they are needed. So simply review some facts about spare tires and be better prepared the next time you get a flat. Now, continue reading if you wish to increase your driving knowledge!

Spare Tires are Not For Permanent Use

Factory direct spare tires are not the same as conventional tires. They are smaller, lighter, and more compact, making them more vulnerable than standard vehicle tires. For this reason, spare tires are not manufactured nor intended to be a permanent replacement for regular tires. Check your owners’ manual for details about your vehicle’s tire specs. And always have a spare tire swapped out for a standard one as soon as possible.

Additionally, it is important to note that replacement spare tires are full size tires. Although they are narrower and more compact, they are still the same diameter as your vehicle’s standard issued tires. This ensures driving maintains stable and even. On the other hand, there are some replacement spare tires that are not the same size as standard ones. It all depends on the brand and model.

Smaller Spare Tires are Limited Use Tires

Smaller or compact spares, popularly known as “donuts”, are limited-use tires. This means they are not manufactured to provide the same benefits and performance levels as regular tires. Compact spare tires are meant emergency tire replacement and short travel. They are supposed to safely get you to the nearest tire shop as soon as possible, not replace your old tire entirely.

Driving on a Spare Can Reduce Miles Per Gallon (MPG)

Your vehicle’s MPG can be negatively affected if you drive on a spare tire for a prolonged distance or period of time. This applies whether it’s a full size spare or a compact. It is recommended to use the lightest option spare tire for your vehicle to avoid dragging around more than you need.

Not All Vehicles Need Spare Tires Anymore

With the new tubeless tire technology entering the market, many newer model vehicles are not even equipped with a factory direct spare tire because they don’t need it. Tubeless tires do not “go flat” in the conventional sense, making them drivable for longer after taking on sudden damage or stress. This is one technology that has influenced the next fact.

Many Spare Tires are Becoming Obsolete

Not all spare tires that once were, are still today. There are several spare tire brands and models that are not manufactured anymore. So older vehicles may come with an outdated folding spare tire, or another type that is not available on the market any longer. Also, the future of spare tires may be bleak with the new and on-going advancements in tire technology.

Spare Tires Still Need Proper Tire Pressure

Even though spare tires are not our vehicle’s “real” tires, they still need to maintain proper inflation, which means the tire pressure needs checked every so often. You can use any standard tire pressure gauge to accomplish this.

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If your tire goes flat and you don’t have a spare, call Zore’s Inc. at 317-247-8484 for prompt and affordable roadside assistance and towing services in Indianapolis, Indiana. We provide a wide range of roadside assistance services, including flat tires, fuel runs, lockouts, engine trouble, and towing. With more than 75 years in business, you can rest assure that our Indianapolis roadside assistance services are both trustworthy and effective!