Check for damage or irregular wear
Proper tyre maintenance is an important safety function often neglected. The importance of properly maintaining your tyres cannot be overemphasized. Remember, tyres are the only contact between your vehicle and the road. Look after your tyres and they will look after you. Check regularly for any signs of irregular wear, any sharp objects lodged in the tread and any cuts, tears, cracks or bulges. If in doubt, ask a car mechanic. Check for damage or uneven wear regularly in on all four tyres, on both sides of the tyre and on wheel rims (which may damage your tyres).
Check tire pressures and adjust at least once a month
According to studies conducted on tire-related crashes, the leading cause of tire failure is under inflation. Under inflation can have many causes, including a gradual loss of pressure through membranes in the tire itself. It is typical for pressure to drop approximately 1 psi per month and 1 psi for each 8-degree loss in ambient temperature. Under inflation also increases stress on the carcass itself, through flexing and overheating, which can lead to structural failures such as tread separation. That's why it is imperative to check and adjust tire pressure at least once a month and before every long trip.
Wheel Balance
Unbalanced tyres cause road vibration, which leads to driver fatigue, premature tyre wear and unnecessary wear to your vehicle's suspension. Tyres should be balanced when they are mounted on wheels for the first time or when they are remounted after a repair. They should be rebalanced at the first sign of a vibration and should be balanced at least once a year. The cost of keeping your tyres balanced will more than pay for itself in tyre mileage, performance and comfort.
Regular tyre rotation
The weight of a vehicle is not evenly distributed to all four car tyres. Therefore, regular rotation is necessary to maintain even tread wear and get the most out of your tyres. On front-wheel-drive cars, for example, most of the braking, steering and driving forces are carried by the front tires, which inevitably wear much faster.
