Make Your Tires Last

Do you want to make your vehicle stand the test of time?

– That's a ridiculous question, who doesn't? –

If so, then you need to keep her looking good and in excellent health . Like most "ladies" I know, keeping her need for shoes fed can get seriously expensive. Especially if she likes those designer brands!

Just so you know, we're talking about cars here.

Anyway, "shoes," or tires for you slower folks, are one of the easiest places to cut your costs and save hundreds of dollars. It only takes a few simple, commonsense steps to make them last longer.

So, if your tires are balding faster than old Uncle Frank, we've got a little work to do. Since they haven't invented "Rogaine" for tires yet, we're just going to have to do a bit of preventative maintenance.

Rotate Them! – Tire rotation might seem like something silly, dreamt up by dealerships and repair centers to rake in more green, but it is actually very important. You should rotate them roughly every 6,000 miles, or every other oil change (if you're using conventional oil, of course!). Whether you rotate them front-to-back or use an X pattern, just doing it at all is important.

Give 'Em A Little Air! – Tires lose pressure over time; it's just the way it is. This makes them wear unevenly and much more quickly. It can also lead to a dangerous sidewall blowout – and the expense of replacing that tire! So, check your tire pressure at least every other week. It takes just seconds and saves you money – and possibly your life! And for Pete's sake, use a tire gauge! They only cost a couple of bucks and "eyeballing" them just doesn't cut it.

Keep 'Em In Line! – Alignment is just as important to tire health as anything else. The simple act of driving can knock your ride out of alignment, making her drive as crooked as a politician's promise. Check your tires for edge wear – on either the inside or outside edge, but not both. If you see your tires getting a bit thin on the edge, get it aligned and do it fast! If you see wires dangling from the edges, it's already too late.

Watch Where You're Going! – Riding on rough surfaces does more damage than just pounding out a nice beat with rocks on your exhaust pipe. It can damage the tread on your tires. Keep to paved roads – you'll stave off the day you need to shell out major bucks for new tires. Of course, not all paved roads should have that name – know where you're driving and what the road conditions are like. Construction, potholes and rough pavement will eat away at your rubber, too.
Of course, the day will come when you have to break down and buy a new set of tires for your lady. However, before you rush out to that major tire store, check your options. You might be surprised by the number of options you have – used tires and cheap tires can be better options than buying a brand new set of "designer shoes" for your little lady.

Buying a set of used tires can help you save some major green while still keeping your ride "shoed" right. Another option is to buy cheap tires from a discount retailer. Get the lowest prices, best quality name brand parts, and helpful auto parts experts at Auto Parts GIANT. Now, don't go thinking Uncle Vinnie's going to break your kneecaps if you report his tire business. Cheap tires are a killer way to get back the tread depth you need for safety and comfort, without forcing you to take out a loan for the tires you need.

Join our e-club by clicking here! You'll receive more great information as well as 2 free special reports every vehicle owner must read!