Your car’s wheels in Canada are essential because they connect the car and the road. The tires also determine how well the car grips the road, the car’s braking, and steering. The four small contact patches also determine the car’s cornering and the amount of fuel your engine uses.
With all the responsibilities the car tires have, you must ensure they are in good condition because driving on the wrong tires can lead to fatal accidents. The driver should ensure they inspect the tires regularly and measure the size of the tread. They should also rotate the tires and change them according to the seasons and the changing temperatures. More tips on how to maintain your wheels Canada are explained below.
1. Rotate The Tires
Drivers should visit their car mechanic after driving 6000 miles to check their tire condition and rotate them. Rotating ensures there is even tread wear to ensure they perform perfectly. Canadian wheels with uneven wear could cause instability of the vehicle leading to accidents. Even when buying used tires, you should ensure they have even wear to have smooth drives.
2. Consider Changing All The Tires
Tires are expensive to purchase and install, and most drivers are reluctant to get a new set even when the current one is old. However, if you buy new tires, ensure you get a complete set, meaning you should buy for the front and back axles. Installing new tires on the front axle and letting the back axle move on old tires makes it challenging for the driver to control the car.
However, install the newer ones at the back axle if you cannot afford a complete set of tires. This applies to all car types, including front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, or all-wheel drive. The rear needs more traction, and if you lose traction on the back wheels, the car is likely to spin.
3. Maintain the Tire Pressure At The Recommended Level
Manufacturers include the recommended tire pressure information on the tire’s sidewall for the specific tire. However, the tire pressure changes with changing temperatures, so you should check it monthly to know when to pass by a gas station.
Driving on the correct pressure ensures your car has the proper traction and rolls at the required speed. Besides, the correct tire pressure keeps your fuel usage in check and reduces the wearing and tear of the ties. Also, ensure you don’t inflate your Canadian wheels past the recommended mark. It can cause tire blasts when you over speed.
4. Check Tire Tread
Checking tire tread is easy, and you can do it yourself. Use the penny test method to check by putting a coin in the tread. If Lincoln’s head is all visible, it means that your tires ate worn out and need a replacement. This is also a critical practice when buying used tires. Avoid buying overly used tires, no matter how cheap they are, because you will need to replace them sooner than you thought.
5. Know-How To Read The Numbers On The Sidewall Of The Tire
When replacing your car’s tires, you will use the numbers on the sidewall to know the exact tire size and type you need. Reading those numbers can be challenging for first-timers, but this guide will help you.
The first letter is called the prefix. It shows the type of car the tire should be installed in. If your tire’s prefix is the letter P, the tire is for a passenger car. LT means that the tire is for a light truck, and ST tires are installed in trailers.
The second two numbers show the section width. They indicate the size of the tire’s width to help the mechanic know the type and size of the rim to get. Installing wheels in Canada on the wrong rim can also cause problems.
The aspect ratio comes after the section width and tire’s prefix to show the distance from the wheel-rim mounting to the outside of the tread. Tire manufacturers write it as a width proportion and not a whole number.
Next is the speed rating. The tire’s speed rating depends on the vehicle and tire type. The highest-rated wheels in Canada have a letter Z on the tire’s sidewall, on the same side with the speed rating and aspect ratio, which is different from other tires whose speed rating is labeled elsewhere.
The letter following the speed rating shows the tire construction. Some are labeled R to show it’s a radial-ply tire, while others have a letter D that indicates a diagonal tire. The last numbers show the tire size in inches.