How Low is Too Low for Tire Pressure?

How low is too low for tire pressure? Different mechanics will answer this question differently. Some will tell you to consult your vehicle’s owner manual. Others will try to offer an answer based on their personal experience. The frustrating thing for you would be that both their answers won’t match.

That is because there’s no single answer to this question. Optimal pressure for any tire depends on many factors, including the temperature in your area, your driving style, and the condition of the roads on which you frequently drive. All these factors determine how much air you should pump inside your tire.

Does the difficulty involved in determining the correct tire pressure mean you shouldn’t give a great deal of thought to it? Doing that will be costly and dangerous. Under-inflation can shorten the life of your vehicle’s tires, harm your vehicle’s performance, and could even lead to a tire blowout.

Hence why you shouldn’t let your tire pressure get too low.

How low is too low for tire pressure?

Follow these steps to check if your tire’s pressure is too low:

1. Go through your car’s instructions manual

Specifically, check out the tire-pressure recommendations provided by your vehicle’s manufacturer. You can find the instructions manual in the owner’s manual or on the driver’s side doorjamb.

Consult your carmaker’s website if you seem to have misplaced your manual. Almost all automakers allow their users to get car manuals online by entering the make and model of their vehicle.

2. Calculate 25% of your car’s recommended pressure:

After checking out the automaker’s recommended tire pressure, get 25% of that figure. For instance, if your car’s manual states that its optimal tire pressure is 30ppsi, then 25% of that figure is 7.5PSI.

Once you have calculated that figure, subtract it from your tire’s recommended air pressure. In our case that would turn out to be (30psi – 7.5psi = 22.5psi). Note down this number as you’re going to need it in the following step.

3. Consult your vehicle’s TPMS:

US Federal law states that every vehicle made in 2008 or after must have a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). This system states that if a tire’s air pressure is 25% below the automaker’s recommended pressure, then it’s too low.

Compare the 25% figure you calculated in the previous step (22.5psi) with your tire’s recommended air pressure to tell whether your tire pressure is too low or not. Immediately inflate your tires if that’s indeed the case.

Dangers of low tire pressure

Here’s why you shouldn’t let your tire pressure get too low:

Low tire pressure can lead to a blowout

Drivers who have experienced a tire blowout can tell how traumatic and nerve-wracking the whole experience can be. It can also be fatal if you don’t know what to do in the first few seconds after a tire blowout – that is to hold the steering straight and not apply brakes.

When the air pressure inside the tire gets too low, it experiences heat build-up, which, if persistent, would separate a section of tire’s rubber from its carcass – which is that part of the tire on which it is built-on. If all of this happens suddenly and you’re driving at high speed, a tire blowout might follow.

Low tire pressure harms fuel economy

Have you ever heard your fellow drivers complaining about the fuel economy of their vehicle? Then you might want to tell them to check their tire pressure. That is because low tire pressure does tend to place a bottom pressure on a vehicle’s fuel economy. Here’s how.

Under-inflated tires require more power from the engine to keep rolling. This causes the engine to burn more fuel. EPA corroborates this statement by claiming that properly inflated tires can boost a vehicle’s fuel economy by as much as 3 percent in certain cases.

Low tire pressure affects the vehicle’s handling

Has your vehicle become challenging to handle off late? Is it despite the fact that both its wheels as well as the suspension are in good working condition? Then you might want to drive it to your nearest tire shop to have its tire pressure checked. Here’s why we’re saying that.

Underinflated tires force their sidewall to flex more than usual. This causes the tire’s tread to squirm and makes the whole tire lose its traction and become unstable. That, in turn, slows down your tires’ response to steering and increases their braking distance.

Low tire pressure reduces the tire’s life

Experts tell us that underinflated tires are less likely to maintain their shape vis-à-vis their properly inflated counterparts. That is because these tires develop a tendency to become flat as the wheels roller, thereby increasing the tire’s wear.

Such a scenario often leads to the tire experiencing uneven wear on both its inner and outer shoulders. The resulting damage negatively affects the tire’s footprint by taking a toll from its tread, which in turn forces you to replace this costly car component prematurely.

FAQs and Answers

Q: How often should you inflate your tires?

A: According to a rule of thumb, you should inflate your car’s tires every time you fill up gas. That will keep the tires adequately inflated and enhance their road life. 

Q: Why do my car’s tires keep on losing air?

A: Tires that aren’t mounted properly and those that have a broken valve stem are prone to leaking air far too often.

Conclusion

You might have deduced by now the dangers of driving on under-inflated tires. Apart from putting the personal safety of the driver and other passengers in the vehicle at risk, poorly inflated tires also cost more in terms of fuel consumption and quick replacement. Hence why we recommend that you should inflate your tires at least once every 30 days.

The post How Low is Too Low for Tire Pressure? appeared first on Smart Motorist.

source https://www.smartmotorist.com/how-low-is-too-low-for-tire-pressure

5 Steps to Break a Tire Bead

Most 4×4 enthusiasts and overland travelers know how to break a tire bead. These are drivers whose frequent off-road trips expose their tires to roadside debris. This rubbish then makes its way inside the tire and onto the wheel if left unattended. Hence the need for the breaking of the bead.

As long as the bead stays intact, it doesn’t allow any gap to form between the tire’s outer edge and the rim. That makes it impossible for anyone to carry out repairs on the tire’s inside. But that is far from being the only reason why you may want to break your tire’s seal.

Removing the bead also allows you to get the tire off the rim quickly. You won’t have to take your vehicle to a normal shop setting to have its tire replaced. The application of minimal effort from your side will allow you to do the job on your own.  

Before you break your tire’s bead

Here’s what you need to know:

Types of bead breakers

Following are the three major types of bead breaker designs:

Shoe and Lever Mechanism

Such bead breakers perform admirably on new passenger vehicle tires, motorcycle tires, and trailers’ tires. They have a shoe-shaped tool that applies pressure on the tire’s sidewall. This sidewall is located next to the bead, and pushing it will force the bead to break its connection with the rim.

On the flip side, such bead breakers don’t work well with difficult to change tires and old tires. It is because the mechanism is quite large and too bulky. You can only use such bead breakers with tires that are easy to replace and new tires.

Pros Low cost Easy to follow Works well with passenger vehicles’ tires

Cons Won’t give the desired results with difficult-to-change tires

 

Plier Type Mechanism

This mechanism counts on a plier-type tool to apply force between the lip of the rim and the bead. The tool has a spike that directly imposes a separating force on the bead as well as on the tire’s sidewall, weakening and ultimately breaking the connection between both.

It has its downsides as well. The spike on the tool makes it extremely likely to leave scratches on the wheels and mar their surface. Also, since the tool is very large, you’d have to apply your full body weight to get the desired results.

Pros Extremely effective Gets the job done quickly

Cons Might leave scratches on the wheel

 

Clamp and Ram Mechanism

Here is the most effective and quick way to break beads on ATVs and other difficult-to-replace tires. The ‘Clamp and Ram’ mechanism relies on a tool with a pointed foot that exploits the space between the lip of the rim and the tire bead.

It also has a padded clamp that goes all the way inside the sidewall with little push from a wrench. The entire mechanism is actuated by another bolt that requires little human input. Also, since the tool is clamped, there is little danger of it damaging the sidewall.

Pros Works well on deteriorated tires Requires minimal user effort Won’t damage the sidewall

Cons Tool is pricey

 

How to Break a Tire Bead

Follow these steps to break your tire’s bead:

What you’ll need?

• Breaker bar
• Hammer

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Remove the valve core

Doing this is necessary as letting the air pressure out will help you in easily and quickly take the wheel off the rim. Make sure that you only remove the wheel from its rim when it has lost its entire air pressure. You can make sure of that by pressing your hands against the tire.

 

Step 2: Place tire on a flat surface

The surface on which you’re going to place the tire should be solid. It should also be capable of handling the pressure you’re going to apply on the tire in the upcoming steps.

 

Step 3: Slide breaker bar between the rim and the tire

Make sure that the pointed/tapered edge of the breaker bar is pointed away from the rim. This edge is extremely sharp and exposing it to the rim might allow it to leave scratches. It is, therefore, necessary that you point it toward the tire.

 

Step 4: Hit the breaker’s top using a hammer

After steadying the breaker between the tire and the rim, hit its top using a hammer. This will drive in the breaker in the opening between the rim and the tire. Continue hitting the top of the breaker until there’s a sound of the expulsion of air or small pop.

This noise will tell you that you’ve partially broken the bead. Follow it up by pushing your breaker bar toward the ground. Apply your full body weight to thrust the breaker in. Few seconds of effort will let you completely break the bead.

 

Final Step: Rotate the breaker around the inside of the tire

As you’re rotating the breaker around the inside of the tire, continue hammering it from above. This will ensure the complete break-up of the bead along the circumference of the tire.

Continue rotating around the breaker until the tire is completely off the rim. Then turn around and apply this process on the tire’s opposite side.

 

Conclusion

Breaking the tire’s bead is important for two reasons. It helps expose the inner surface of the tire for clean-up of dirt and debris. Breaking the bead also allows you to remove the tire from its rim on your own, thereby saving you the money that you’d otherwise have to pay to a tire repairman.

There’s another reason why you may want to break the tire’s bead on your own. The entire process is incredibly easy. You just have to follow the abovementioned instructions and you’ll be removing the tire off its rim in less than thirty minutes.

The post 5 Steps to Break a Tire Bead appeared first on Smart Motorist.

source https://www.smartmotorist.com/how-to-break-a-tire-bead

6 Easy Steps to Balance a Tire Yourself

Tires go out of balance for various reasons. The most common is uneven wear. It causes one part of the tire to become heavier than others and makes the whole tire unbalanced. Another cause is under-inflation. As tires that have less-than-optimal air pressure for too long can go out of balance.

All of this is to say that you should never drive on out of balance tires. It is risky and akin to putting the safety of your vehicle’s passengers at risk. That is because such tires are in poor health and are at a greater risk of experiencing blowout at high speeds.

As if that wasn’t worrying enough, out of balance tires reduce your car’s fuel economy as well. They also place added stress on your vehicle’s shock absorbers and wheel bearings. That, in turn, leads to a noisier and bumpier driving experience. Hence why you should know how to balance a tire.

Before you balance your tire

Here’s what you need to know:

Types of tire balancing

Following are the three major types of tire balancing:

Static Balancing

Static balancing involves the addition of weights across one line of the tire. That line is usually called a ‘plane’ and the addition of weights is carried out as if the tire was a disc. It is an old-school method and helps rectify minor imbalancing problems.

Mechanics that perform static balancing place the tire on a vertical supporter with the help of a bubble balancer or a spindle tool. That is followed by the heavier side automatically leaning lower to the ground, after which the mechanic places the weight on the lighter side.

Dynamic Balancing

Dynamic balancing involves the addition of weight across the entire tire (up-and-down, side-to-side) in a dual plane. Mechanics who perform this type of balancing use modern spinning computer balancers for the whole procedure. Here’s how they do it.

The technician mounts the out-of-balance tire on the machine and then spins it. The sensors attached to the machine measure all weight imperfections as the tire is spinning. They then guide the technician on how much weight they should add at which location to rectify the weight imbalance.

Road Force Balancing

Here is the latest technique to rectify the tire imbalancing problem. It involves a sophisticated roller machine that puts its entire weight on the dismounted tire. The weight applied by the machine is similar to the one the tire experiences from the vehicle.

The machine has sensors which detect irregularities in the tire’s imbalance as it’s withholding the machine’s weight. Aside from telling the exact spot where tire imbalance has occurred, the sensors also tell whether it is the tire or the wheel that is the root of the problem.

How to balance a tire

There are two methods using which you can balance a tire:

Method 1. How to balance a tire with a Wheel Balancer

Here’s how you can balance the tire with a wheel balancer:

What you’ll need?

• Two Jacks
• Flat-end screwdriver
• Lug wrench

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Lift the car

Find the jack point. You can find it in front of the back wheels and behind both the front wheels. Once you’ve seen it, slide your jack underneath that point. Then raise the jack by slipping the included rod tool through its hole and turning it to pull the jack’s sides inward.

 

Step 2: Remove wheels from the vehicle

Use the lug wrench to remove wheels from the vehicle. Make sure that there aren’t any weights on the wheel that you’re going to remove. Otherwise, the rebalancing process may end up giving unsatisfactory results.

 

Step 3: Clean the wheels

Wash the wheels to remove all the dirt from the tread area, the rim, and the rest of the tires. Then give the wheels enough time to dry.

 

Step 4: Put the wheel’s assembly on the balancer

Follow the machine’s manual to spin the wheels. If you’re using dynamic balancing, the balancer will tell you where the imbalance lies as the machine is spinning. If you’re using static balancing, you’ll have to wait for the machine to stop spinning before it could identify the faulty spot.

 

Step 5: Mark the spots where the addition of weight is required

Use chalk to mark the spots. Then put on the recommended weights and re-mount the wheel on the machine to recheck its balance. Continue to adjust the weight until the tire stay in a perfect line (in the case of static balancing) or move smoothly (in the case of dynamic balancing).

 

Step 6: Mount the wheels back on the vehicle

Self-explanatory. Don’t forget tightening the lug nuts and lowering the jack once you’re done putting the wheels back on the vehicle.

 

Method 2. How to balance a tire Without a wheel balancer

Here’s how you can balance a tire without a wheel balancer:

What you’ll need?

• Two Jacks
• Lug wrench

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Lift the car, remove wheels and clean them

Follow the instructions given in the first three steps of the previous method. Lift the vehicle using a jack, remove the wheels after removing all the additional weights, and clean them with water. Give the wheels enough time to dry completely.

 

Step 2: Reinstall the wheel

Once you have done that, add weight on the wheel’s 12 o’clock position. Start your car and start driving it on the road (at a speed of 10 – 20mph). If you still notice vibrations, take off the weight from the 12 o’clock position and install it at 45* from the initial position.

 

Step 3: Drive the vehicle

After the addition of the weight, once again rev your vehicle. If the vibration persists, add more weight to the spot where you’ve already added weight. Rev your vehicle again. If the vibration still hasn’t gone away, take off both weights and install them at 45* from the second position.

 

Final Step: Continue with the same procedure

Continue with the foregoing procedure as long as the vibrations persist. You’ll eventually find the spot where, after adding more weights, the balancing will be complete.

 

Conclusion

Experts recommend that you shouldn’t wait for vibrations to rebalance your tires. You should get rebalancing done after every 5,000 miles or two years and every time you buy new tires. The presence of uneven tread wear on the tire is another sign that it needs rebalancing.

The post 6 Easy Steps to Balance a Tire Yourself appeared first on Smart Motorist.

source https://www.smartmotorist.com/how-to-balance-a-tire

6 Steps to lower spare tire without tool

If you want to know how to lower spare tire without tool, you’re at the right place. This guide contains everything you need to know to complete the task. The step by step instructions given below doesn’t leave any room for confusion or mistake.

They are also easy to follow and practical. You don’t have to be a mechanic to put them to practice. Anyone who has ever held a tool in their life can use them to get their vehicle back on the road in little to no time. That isn’t where the good news end.

Our experts prepared these directives with the assumption that anyone using them would be on their own. That there might not be anyone assisting them in lowering their spare tire. It’s a good thing if you ask us as it means you can complete the task without any help.

Before you lower spare tire without tool

Here’s what you need to do:

Make sure your vehicle does have a spare tire

Before you go about reading our instructions, it’s important to make sure that you indeed have a spare tire in your vehicle. Most people assume this scenario without ever bothering to verify their assumption by looking at the spare tire. Such persons are often left with nothing at the end.

To verify the presence of the spare tire, discard the rectangular plastic cover under the passenger side of your vehicle’s license plate. If you can see an entrance for a key beneath the plastic cover, then you can be sure that your car does indeed has its spare tire.

Get the necessary supplies

That you’re going to lower the spare tire without ‘tool’ doesn’t mean you are going to go about the task with bare hands. Doing that would be counterproductive. You will still need some supplies to compensate for the lack of the key. Here’s what you’ll need.

Purchase a jack kit (without the jack). You can buy one from your local hardware store or Amazon. The next item on your ‘to-get’ list is an ignition key. Alongside the components of the Jack kit,  the ignition key will loosen the tire’s connection with the wheel.

Park the vehicle on a stable, flat surface

Experts tell us that one should never change tires on a slope. The same advice is applicable when you’re lowering a spare tire. Vehicles parked on an incline are extremely likely to go backward, thereby putting the safety of the person under the vehicle at risk.

Once you’ve done that, apply the hand brake. Turn on the emergency lights if you’re on the roadside. Put your vehicle in gear (if manual) or in parking (if automatic). Make sure that no one is sitting inside the car and put chocks or similar heavy objects behind all the wheels.

How to lower spare tire without a tool

Follow these instructions to lower spare tire without a tool:

What you’ll need?

• Ignition Key
• Jack Kit

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Slide underneath the bumper

Picture in your mind the exact location of the spare tire. Or you can just fall to your knees and look beneath the vehicle. Fixate your attention to the back of the vehicle. There you’ll see a bulge protruding downwards. That is the spare tire that you’re going to lower.

The exact location of the spare tire will be just behind the tow hitch bar and under the bumper. You can further verify that the bulge is a spare tire by pressing your hand against it. The tire’s trenches will let you know that it’s indeed what you’re looking for.

 

Step 2: Insert the ignition key

Insert the ignition key in the hole beneath the plastic cover you discarded earlier. Drag the key towards you and you’ll end up detaching it from the hole. Doing this is vital as it will allow you to fix the assembly at the rear of your vehicle.

 

Step 3: Open the Jack kit

Get the crowbar and a couple of rods. One of the roads will have a wider end. Mechanics usually call this end the ‘female’ end. You’re going to insert this end of the rod into the hole that you disclosed in the previous step with the ignition key.

 

Step 4: Fit the 2^nd rod to the female end rod

Doing this will help you in two ways. It will provide you enough space to add the male end of the pulley to the female rod. You will also be left with enough space to remove the bumper.

Look closely to make sure that the fitment between the female end rod and the 2^nd rod is perfect. Then put this end through the hole.

 

Step 5: Fit the crowbar to the other end

You have by now one end of the rod into the hole. The other end, which is staying out of the bumper, should now be added to the crowbar. Follow that up by turning the crowbar in an anti-clockwise direction.

This will allow you to swivel the pulley and, by extension, the spare tire to the ground. Keep on rotating as long as the spare tire isn’t entirely on the floor.

 

Final Step: Distinguish the rim from the pulley carrier

This will let you detach the tire from below the vehicle. Keep one hand on the tire and the other on the middle gap of the rim. Apply full force to pull both ends apart and off the peak.

 

Conclusion

Lowering a spare tire without a tool isn’t exactly straightforward. You have to apply a lot of effort and the whole process will take about an hour for an amateur. Yet it is better than the alternative, which is to wait for hours on the roadside for help. You should therefore be aware of how to accomplish this task.

The post 6 Steps to lower spare tire without tool appeared first on Smart Motorist.

source https://www.smartmotorist.com/how-to-lower-spare-tire-without-tool

What is a Radial Tire?

Why do most drivers prefer radial tires? Because non-radial tires are underwhelming in their performance. Such tires have a huge rolling resistance which contributes to added fuel consumption. Absence of flex in their sidewalls results in a bumpier, harder ride. That isn’t where the bad news end.

Non-radial tires also have a smaller footprint that prevents them from having a stable contact with the road surface. It reduces their tread life and exposes them to more ground compaction and damage. They generate more heat on the road and require replacement quicker as well.

Radial tires steer well clear of all these shortcomings. The combination of flexible sidewalls, low rolling resistance, and steel-belted construction allows them to boost a softer ride, reduced fuel consumption, and longer tread life. Little wonder, then, that they’re uber popular on the market.

Read on to know more about what is a radial tire.

What is a radial tire?

Radial tires are those tires in which the cord plies are arranged at a 90-degree angle to the center of the tire (or to the direction of travel). This design makes sure that as the tire flexes, plies don’t rub against each other.  But that’s not all that you may want to note about their construction.

Yet another notable element in their design is the presence of steel belts. These belts are located at a ‘spiral’ angle to the direction of travel and impart stiffness to the tire. Their presence helps the tire boast a more rigid overall construction. It also allows the tire’s tread to last longer.

Playing an equally important part in their sturdiness is their thick shoulder. It protects the tire’s interior from damage by absorbing the brunt of the impact. Together with the bead filler, whose functionality is evident by its name, the thick shoulder improves the radial tire’s durability.

The way these tires’ construction helps dissipate heat is noteworthy as well. They have a tire chafer that erects a heat-resistant layer in front of the ply cord – the part of the tire which is the most exposed to the heat created by bead rubbing. That’s why radial tires thrive effortlessly in summer conditions. 

Benefits of radial tires

Following are the benefits radial tires provide vis-à-vis traditional bias tires:

• Less Fuel Consumption: The presence of rigid steel belts in their tread region takes the pressure off of these tires’ tread area. It therefore allows radial tires to roll with less resistance, thereby reducing your vehicle’s overall fuel consumption.
• Better Driving Experience: Their peculiar design makes sure that radial tires have more flexible sidewalls than the traditional ones. This makes sure that as the tire contacts the road, it remains stable to provide a softer, bump-free driving experience.
• Extreme Heat Resistance: We have already explained how the presence of the tire chafer in front of the ply cord helps these tires dissipate heat better. What we haven’t told you so far, however, is that their better heat-dissipating lengthens the life span of these tires as well.
• High Load-Bearing Capacity: The flexible sidewalls of these tires don’t just ensure a smooth and seamless driving experience. Their elasticity also gives the vehicle the ability to withstand heavy loads by consistently distributing the bed pressure along the vehicle’s body.
• Massive Speed Ratings: One specific feature of radial tires makes them a great contender for sports cars. They have a crown belt that prevents deformation and keeps the tire stable at high speeds. Hence why high-end radial tires can be driven safely at more than 150mph.

Shortcomings of radial tires

Following are some of the downsides of radial tires:

• High Initial Asking Price: Given the fact that they provide a softer driving experience, dissipate heat better and last longer, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone that radial tires cost more than a traditional bias-ply tire.
• Vulnerable To Punctures: Radial tires don’t handle abuse well when they’re under-inflated or overloaded. Both these unnatural conditions might cause their sidewall to bulge, thereby potentially leading to puncture and damage.
• Poor Transport Handling: While radial tires have more ‘radial’ stiffness than bias-ply tires, they have relatively low ‘lateral’ stiffness. This exposes them to sway as the speed of the tires, along with its weight, increases.

FAQs and Answers

Q: What is the difference between radial and non-radial tires?

A: The major difference between both these tires is how they allow their tread and sidewall to function. Radial tires allow both these components to function as independent features. That isn’t the case with non-radial tires whose sidewalls and crown are interdependent.

Q: How often should radial tires be rotated?

A: Experts recommend that you rotate your radial tires every 6,000 to 8,000 miles or six months. Make sure that during the rotation, each tire is removed from its position and installed at a different position. This will allow all tires to last longer by helping them wear evenly.

Q: What is the best way to rotate radial tires?

A: Tires’ maker Goodyear informs us of the best way to rotate radial tires. We should replace the front (driver-side) tire with the rear (driver-side) tire. In the same way, the front passenger-side tire should be installed in place of the rear passenger-side tire.

Conclusion

According to a survey by Consumer Reports, their superior construction has allowed radial tires to clinch a 100% market share in the United States. Their steel-belted construction, low rolling resistance, and flexible sidewalls are probably the reason why these models have replaced traditional tires.

Hence the reason why if you want to enjoy a softer riding experience, hoping to cut your trips to the gas filling station or own a sports car, radial tires are your best bet. They might cost more up-front but do well to justify their high initial asking price with the features mentioned above.

The post What is a Radial Tire? appeared first on Smart Motorist.

source https://www.smartmotorist.com/what-is-a-radial-tire

4 Causes of Inner Tire Wear: How to fix?

Ignoring inner tire wear can be risky. Tires that have too little treading on the inside might not be able to brake quickly and effectively on wet roads. Worn and bald tires also provide poor traction on ice- and snow-laden roads and they experience more slippage too.

It isn’t only the health of the tire that suffers due to inner wear. Vehicles with low tread tires also see a reduction in their performance. They experience a fall in their fuel economy and steering because such tires lose air pressure on a regular basis. And that’s not where the bad news end.

Worn-out tires pose a safety hazard to the vehicle and its passengers as well. They don’t have the necessary level of tread that could allow the surrounding air to move between their grooves. That’s what makes them a sweet spot for heat build-up and, by extension, blowouts.

With this in mind, let’s look at how to fix inner tire wear:

Before you fix the inner tire wear

Here’s what you need to know:

Why Your Tires Are Wearing Down On The Inside?

Assuming you’ve already noticed signs of inner tire wear, there are a few different factors that can be responsible for this. Among those there are a few which are very common. We’re going to discuss them right now:

a). Camber Angle

The difference between your wheels’ vertical alignment and the road surface is its camber angle. An ideal camber angle is one that allows the tire to sit flat on the road. That might not happen if your wheels are out of alignment, in which case the camber angle might be ‘positive’ or ‘negative’.

Positive camber angle forces the top of the tire to stick further than its bottom. This causes its outer edge to wear down. Negative camber angle, on the contrary, forces the top of the tire to angle inwards and the bottom of the tire to stick further than its top. This results in inner tire wear.

b). Toe Settings

There are two forces that your tire experiences at all times. The first are those that are always pulling the tire to its inside. Then there are those which are regularly pushing it towards the outside. The function of toe settings is to balance those forces and make sure that the tire is facing straight.

However, when the toe settings go out of alignment, they might cause your tire to point inward or outward. If the tire is pointing inward due to misaligned toe settings, it means that the forces pulling on the inside of the tire are dominating. Inner tire wear will soon follow suit.

c). Worn Ball Joints

Although they are not visible from the outside, ball joints play an important role in keeping the tires rolling in an optimum manner. They do the same by connecting the lower and upper control arms of the tire to the wheel hubs of your vehicle. But they aren’t damage-proof.

Ball joints start to wear down with excessive usage. This reduces their grip on the wheel and exposes the tire to inner wear. One of the most common symptoms of worn ball joints is your suspension giving weird sounds as the vehicle goes over speed breakers or potholes.

d). Damaged Springs

The springs in your vehicle are responsible for keeping your journeys seamless. They work in tandem with shock absorbers and take the life out of vibrations that hit your vehicle as it rolls over potholes on bumps on the road. Their optimal working is necessary for a vibration-free ride.

However, just like ball joints, springs also wear down over time. This reduces their ability to help your vehicle remain in constant contact with the road at all times. Tires suffer the greatest brunt of this scenario as they experience wear on the inside.

How to fix inner tire wear?

Follow these instructions to fix inner tire wear

1. Get your wheels aligned

If left unattended for a long period, improper wheel alignment might disturb camber angle, wear down ball joints and may damage springs as well.

All these three disturbances, as explained earlier, contribute to inner tire wear. That is why you should get your wheels aligned after every 5,000 miles or one year.

2. Keep tires properly inflated

Underinflated tires are at an added risk of experiencing inner tire wear. That’s because their sidewall will no longer be able to force the tire to come into contact with the road.

Hence the reason why we recommend that you check your tire pressures from time to time. Purchase a portable tire inflator if you don’t always have free time to go to the tire shop.

3. Regularly balance your tires

Most car owners only get their wheels balanced once they notice uneven tire wear. That is the wrong approach. It would be best if you had your tires balanced once every two years.

Experts also recommend having new tires balanced immediately after you have installed them underneath your vehicle. Doing that would protect them from experiencing inner wear.

4. Repair or replace damaged suspension components

If you notice that only one side of a particular tire is wearing down unevenly, it’s time to check its suspension. More often than not a bent suspension component will be to blame.

As long as the damage to the component isn’t extensive, you can have it repaired. However, if it is bent beyond repair, you may have no choice but to replace it altogether.

Conclusion

Inner tire wear can occur due to multiple reasons. Your wheels may be misaligned for a long time, their camber angle may not be right, ball bearings and joints can be worn down, or one of the suspension components can be broken.

Once you have identified the cause of inner tire wear, immediately tend to the solution. Don’t ignore the problem as it won’t go away. Adopting such a careless attitude won’t only hit you hard in the pocket, but it will also put the health of your vehicle and the safety of its passengers in safety.

The post 4 Causes of Inner Tire Wear: How to fix? appeared first on Smart Motorist.

source https://www.smartmotorist.com/how-to-fix-inner-tire-wear

How to Tell Which Tire is Out of Balance?

Driving with an out of balance tire can be dangerous. Such tires experience uneven tread wear and are at greater risk of a blowout at high speeds. They also produce excessive vibrations during driving and are more likely to undergo unexpected changes on the road.

Out of balance tires weigh heavily on your pocket as well. Their added weight forces the engine to produce more power to keep them rolling. This reduces your car’s fuel economy and increases the frequency of your trips to the gas filling station.

Unbalanced tires also stress your wheel bearings and shock absorbers. The deterioration of the wheel bearings increases the risk of your wheels getting worse in quick time. Shock absorbers which have experienced more stress, meanwhile, repay in the shape of bumpier driving experience.

With this in mind, let’s look at how to tell which tire is out of balance:

How to tell which tire is out of balance?

Out of balance tires put up the following signs:

1. Uneven and faster tread wear

You can manually check your tire’s treadwear through four methods.

• Check Tread Depth

One of the oldest methods to check tread wear, it involves inserting a penny into its tread with the ‘heads’ side facing the road. If you can see the entirety of Lincoln’s head, your tread has worn down and it’s time to invest in a new tire. Or else you may keep on using it.

• Inspect Sidewall Cracks

You can also inspect the sidewall cracks to tell whether or not the tire has worn down. Tire sidewalls are initially moist before the passage of miles dries them out. This causes the formation of cracks or cuts in their surface. Tiny cracks are common but large cracks are a telltale sign of uneven tread wear.

• Check Tread Indicator Bars

Yet another way you can identify tread wear is via tread indicator bars. Most modern-day tires come with these flat rubber bars that you cannot see as long as the tread is optimal. However, as the tread wears down, tread bars gradually because easy to see.

• Search for bulges and blisters

Worn out tire will develop both these weak spots on its surface. They might look benign but bulges and blisters do increase the likelihood of a sudden blowout. Both of them can also lead to skidding and hydroplaning of the tire over wet surfaces. That’s why you should never ignore them.

2. Out of balance sound

We consulted three experts to know what an out of balance tire sounds like. All were unanimous in their assertions that it emits loud noises while driving. These noises are coming out of the aforementioned tread wear and their sheer intensity makes them impossible to ignore.

3. Steering becomes difficult

Out of balance tires make the driver aware of their presence by making steering in a given direction (that of the unbalanced tire) more difficult. They also delay the steering wheel’s response time and increases the chances of avoidable accidents.

4. Bad shocks and bearings

Tires that are out of balance put the greatest stress on their shocks and bearings. This causes both these components, alongside the springs, to experience more wear and tear than necessary. That’s why, if you don’t fix the unbalanced tire in a timely fashion, you’d have to replace both these parts as well.

5. Repeated pressure imbalances

Is one of your tires constantly losing pressure? Does the problem resurface every few days after you have the tire inflated? Then there’s an excellent chance that the tire is out of balance. As tires, as long as they aren’t punctured, don’t lose air pressure too quickly.

 

FAQs

Q: When to get tire balancing done?

A: Here are some tips as to when you should get your tire balancing done:

• After every 5,000 miles
• After every 2 years
• Every time you buy new tires
• Every time you get a flat tire repaired
• On noticing uneven tire wear

Q: What is the difference between tire balancing and alignment?

A: Both of them help in ensuring a seamless ride, but tire balancing and alignment cannot be more different. Tire balancing, as the name implies, ‘balances’ the weight on the tire and its wheel assembly. Alignment on the contrary corrects the tire’s angle.

Aside from how both of them are done, tire balancing and alignment differ in the benefit that they provide as well. While properly balanced tires experience less wear, put a reduced strain on the drivetrain, and contribute to a smoother ride, properly aligned tires have a better road life.

Q: How tire balancing is done?

A: Here’s how tires are rebalanced:

1. Tire mechanics mount the tire (mounted on a wheel) on a balancing machine
2. The wheel is spun and measurements given by the machine are recorded
3. Measurements tell where the imbalance is and how much weight should be added to correct it
4. Mechanic attaches the recommended weight to the tire and reinstalls the tire underneath the vehicle

Q: What are the dangers of driving with an unbalanced tire?

A: Aside from delivering bouncy and noise-ridden rides, unbalanced tires also place stress on their shock absorbers and bearings. This causes both these parts to wear down quickly. Out of balance tires also decrease the vehicle’s fuel economy and undergo tread wear faster.

Conclusion

The dangers of driving with an out of balance tire should have become clear by now. Such tires not only damage the health of your vehicle but also put the safety of its passengers at risk. They also place a bottom pressure on your car’s fuel economy.

All these reasons make it clear that you shouldn’t tolerate an out of balance tire. The moment you see any of the abovementioned signs, you should take your car to the tire repairman to have the tire rebalanced. Doing so will save you a lot of money in the long run.

The post How to Tell Which Tire is Out of Balance? appeared first on Smart Motorist.

source https://www.smartmotorist.com/how-to-tell-which-tire-is-out-of-balance

3 Ways to Mount a Tire

Every driver should learn how to mount a tire. It will save you the money that you’d otherwise have to fork out at a tire repair shop. You will also end up saving time. As driving the car to the mechanic and waiting for them to get free before they could tend to your tire is a laborious process.

You have three methods using which you can mount a tire. The first involves using a machine and is undoubtedly the easiest, especially if you have the machine at home. The second process, meanwhile, relies on a non-automatic tire changer.

Both these processes require the investment of capital. That’s why the average driver may shun them in favor of the third method. One that allows you to mount the new tire with nothing but a pry bar and your bare hands. It involves more effort than other methods but is achievable with a lot of effort.

Read on to know more about all three methods.

How to Mount a Tire

Follow these steps to mount a tire:

Method 1: Using a Tire Machine

 

Mounting a tire with the help of a machine is a quick and easy process. That’s why almost all tire repair shops and dealerships employ this method. Only a single person is needed to carry out this method with success. Here’s how:

What you’ll need?

• Tire machine
• Tire lubricant

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Lubricate the tire bead

Use a tire lubricant to moisten the tire’s rim edge and bead. Don’t use grease or soapy water for this purpose. The first will be extremely difficult to clean off, while the second won’t be slick enough. Both may cause the tire to de-bead during fast cornering.

Step 2: Put the tire on the rim

Swing the mount arm in the direction of the rim’s edge. Then place it at such an angle that the lower bead is pointing diagonally toward the mounting element. Getting the right angle is crucial for the success of the entire method. Pay extra attention.

Step 3: Rotate the turntable

Gently press the pedal to turn the turntable. This will cause the tire’s lower bead to slowly slide onto the metal rim.  

Step 4: Mount the upper bead

Place the tire on the rim in a diagonal way and press the pedal. Keep it pressed until the turntable’s rotation causes half of the bead to sit on the rim. Then, press the other half that hasn’t seated yet and again press the turntable.

Pro Tip: Use your knuckles to seat the tire on the rim. Make sure that the tire is fully seated before you rotate the turntable for the second time. Failure to do so may damage the bead.

Step 5: Release the arm and seat the bead

After releasing the arm and pushing it to its starting position, use the tire’s air pressure to seat the bead. The bead might not sit immediately. If that’s indeed the case, open the tire’s valve stem and put a hose onto it. Follow it up by pressing the pedal. Pop sounds will come out as the bead fits the rim’s edge.

Final Step: Release the jaws

Once you have done that, re-install the valve stem core. Inflate the tire to its manufacturer’s recommended pressure using the pressure gauge on the machine.

 

Method 2: Using a Manual Tire Changer

 

Understanding how to mount a tire using a manual tire changer would be extremely easy if you are aware of the workings of this machine. Its working principle is similar to that of a tire machine, only you won’t be dealing with any pedals.

What you’ll need?

• Manual tire changer
• Tire lubricant

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Lubricate the tire bead

Use a tire lubricant to moisten the tire’s rim edge and bead. Don’t use grease or soapy water for this purpose. The reasons for that are already explained in the first step of the previous method.

Step 2: Put the tire on the rim

Once you have put the tire on the rim, keep on pushing it until the lower sidewall ends up resting on the rim. You may have to push the tire quite far to achieve this seating arrangement.

Step 3: Turn to the upper side

Manual tire changers have a lever bar between the tire’s rim and its bead. As you lift it, you’ll see that a tiny section of the bead will start folding onto the metal edge. Continue to repeat this process (lift the rim, fold the bead over the metal edge) until the rim has the entire tire covering its surface.

Step 4: Install the valve stem core

Only do that after you have taken the rim and the tire off the changer. Follow the installation of the valve stem core by covering the tire centerline with a ratchet strap. This is important as the strap will seat the bead after the mounting of tires.

Step 5: Apply pressure on the tire and fill it with air

Doing this will serve two purposes. It will help the tire sit snugly on the rim and allow the beads to settle down. The sitting down of the tire on the rim will cause pops, so you may not want to keep your hands on the tire during this step.

Final Step: Remove the strap

Follow it up by inflating the tire to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure. Make sure there aren’t any leaks afterward.

 

Method 3: Using your bare hands

 

Mounting a tire with your bare hands isn’t easy. You’d have to expend a lot of time and effort to see the job through. But if you cannot afford to invest in a tire mounting machine or a manual changer, this process is worth the effort.

What you’ll need?

• Tire lubricant
• Pry bar
• Tire inflator

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Lubricate the tire bead

Follow the instructions given in step 1 of the previous two methods.

Step 2: Lay the rim on flat ground

Then place the tire on top of the rim. The surface should be stable, even, and flat. Place a piece of cardboard underneath the rim if the surface is concrete or blacktop.

Step 3: Press the bottom lip tire onto the rim

Stand on the tire and apply pressure with both feet to force the bottom of the tire onto the top of the rim. Lay your hand on a nearby wall for balance (if possible) or ask a friend or family member to lend a hand.

After you have seated the lower bead onto the rim, apply more lubricant to the tire. This will make it easy for the remaining rubber to slide over the metal.

Step 4: Press the upper lip of the tire onto the rim

Divide this step into two mini-steps. In the first part, apply as much effort with your hands as possible to press the upper lip onto the rim. Once you can see that that the tire is no longer going down, use a pry bar to maneuver the lip over the remaining portion of the rim.

Keep on doing it until the tire’s lower and upper beads are past the lip of the rim.

Pro Tip: To prevent the pry bar from scratching the rim, press it into the lower side of the upper lip of the tire.

Final Step: Inflate the tire

Use a tire inflator to inflate the tire as per its manufacturer’s instructions.

 

Conclusion

You now have three methods at your disposal using which you can mount a tire. The first, which involves a machine, will allow you to get the job done quickly and conveniently. The second process which counts on a manual tire changer won’t require much time and effort as well. However, you’ll have to put in a lot of effort and time if you’re going to mount a tire with nothing but your bare hands.

The post 3 Ways to Mount a Tire appeared first on Smart Motorist.

source https://www.smartmotorist.com/how-to-mount-a-tire

What Should You Do If You Have A Tire Blowout?

What should you do if you have a tire blowout? Different people will answer this question differently. Some will suggest calling the traffic police. Others might tell you to look around in search of a tire repair shop. Very few will give you tips using which you can rectify the problem on your own.

That is precisely what this article aims to do. It has some handy tips using which you can prepare yourself for dealing with a situation in which you’re in the middle of nowhere with nothing but your vehicle and its blown-out tire. But it doesn’t stop at that.

We have also come up with a comprehensive step-by-step guide on dealing with a tire blowout. One that contains everything you need to remove the blown-out tire from its wheel and replace it with the one lying in your car’s boot.

What Should You Do If You Have A Tire Blowout?

 

Follow these step-by-step instructions to survive a tire blowout:

Step 1: Do not panic

What is the best thing you can do in the immediate aftermath of a tire blowout? Absolutely nothing. Don’t slam on the brakes. Don’t turn the steering wheel to pull your vehicle off the road. Don’t take your foot off the accelerator.

All these actions might cause you to lose control over the vehicle. Your car might spin out if you end up doing any of these. That’s why, in the first few seconds after you have heard a blast, you should take deep breaths and try to stay as calm as possible.

Step 2: Keep the car going straight

When facing a tire blow out, the first thing many people try to do is to turn the steering towards one side. That approach can be deadly. Your tire has already blown out and trying to turn the car in such a scenario might cause the wheels to overcorrect – increasing the chances of an accident.

Once the tire has blown out, the car will be pulling to one side. It will be crucial then that you stop the vehicle from having its way. You can do that by gripping the steering wheel with both hands. Have the left hand at 10 and the right hand at 2. This will steer the vehicle straight.

Step 3: Gently take your foot off the gas pedal

Don’t yank your foot off the accelerator. You need your car to retain its forward momentum to regain control over it. Slightly decrease the pressure you’re applying on the accelerator without taking the whole pressure off it.

After you feel that the vehicle is back under control, take your foot off the accelerator. You may have noticed that we didn’t make any mention of brakes to slow down the car. That’s because applying the brakes while the tire has just blown out can be deadly.

Step 4: Let the car slow down naturally

Once you have taken your foot off the accelerator, your vehicle’s speed will automatically decrease before coming down to zero within thirty seconds. At this point, you might want to turn on the emergency lights to inform the drivers who are coming behind you that you’re decelerating.

During this entire period, don’t take your hands off the steering wheel. Keep steering the vehicle straight and resist the temptation of applying the brakes too.

Final Step: Gently apply the brakes

When your car’s speed has come below 30 mph, gently apply the brakes. Give the indicator and turn the vehicle towards the road’s hard shoulder. After the car has stopped, take a deep breath and call traffic police or anyone you want for help.

How to avoid a tire blowout?

Here are some tips using which you can avoid a tire blowout:

• Double-check tire pressure: One of the biggest causes of tire blowouts is under inflation. Tires that have less pressure than recommended flex more than properly inflated tires. This flex then generates heat which ultimately leads to a blowout.
• Don’t drive worn-out tires: Old tires with a damaged tread are also prime candidates for a blowout. The thinness of the tread exposes the tire’s inner rubber to more heat, which in turn cracks and may cause the tire to blow out.
• Avoid potholes while driving: Tires that repeatedly hit potholes are susceptible to losing their alignment and de-shape quickly than their peers whose drivers keep it safe while driving. That’s why you should keep your driving style in check.
• Monitor tire’s sidewall: In extremely rare cases, tire blowout has nothing to do with the condition of its tread or your driving style. It may be that the sidewall of the tires has cuts, grooves, or tracks from excessive use – those that might expand and cause blowouts at high speed.
• Rotate tires every 10,000kms: Uneven tread wear can also lead to tire blowouts. You can prevent it from happening by rotating your tires once every 10,000kms. Or you may go through your tire’s manual for more specific recommendations.
• Drive slow when it’s hot out there: Most drivers associate tire blowouts with summer. They aren’t wrong. The combination of high temperatures and massive vehicle speed might create a cocktail whose climax may be a blown-out tire.

Conclusion

Nobody should take the problem of tire blowout lightly. An estimate by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration puts the number of people who lose their lives due to tire blowouts at over 400. The same report claims that over 75,000 accidents take place due to the same problem.

Hence the reason why in addition to knowing what you should do in the first few seconds after a tire blowout, you should also be aware of steps taking, which you can minimize the chances of a tire blowout. Only then can you be sure of you and your loved ones’ safety.

The post What Should You Do If You Have A Tire Blowout? appeared first on Smart Motorist.

source https://www.smartmotorist.com/what-should-you-do-if-you-have-a-tire-blowout