Preserving Your Car's New Tires
Putting new tires on your car can easily run between a few hundred and a few thousand dollars, so it's worth your time to look at ways of prolonging their life. Your car has a number of moving parts that play a role in the motion of your tires, and each can have an impact on how long those tires remain viable. Keeping those components in proper condition will ensure that you get the greatest possible mileage out of every set of new tires you buy.
Balance and Alignment
How a tire hits the road will determine just how the rubber wears away over time. Properly balanced, those tires will wear down at a relatively even rate across their entire surface. This is why it's a good idea to make sure that your tires are fitted to their rims by a professional who will balance them before putting them back on your vehicle. A good tire shop will include the price of balancing in their quote.
The alignment of your vehicle, that being the orientation of the axles and their bearing on your tire position, will also affect the rate of wear on your tires. This can be gradually affected over time by normal driving, or more suddenly if you're in an accident or happen to run over an obstacle. Unlike the balance of your tires, your alignment may need adjustment more than once during the life of your tires, and can run between $60 and $100.
Air Pressure and Suspension
Few things affect the performance and longevity of new tires more than their air pressure. Low tire pressure can affect the rate at which your tires wear, because more of the tire's surface will be in contact with the road at one time, creating more friction and forcing your vehicle to work that much harder. This is something you can actually check and address on your own by investing in an inexpensive tire pressure gauge you can keep in your car. If the pressure drops below the manufacturer's recommendation you can top your tires off at most service stations for just a few dollars.
Modern cars have much more forgiving suspension than older, rigid frame vehicles. You're often cushioned from many of the irregularities in the road by a good suspension system that absorbs much of the energy when you pass over bumps, potholes or uneven road surfaces. If your suspension is failing you'll notice it in how comfortable your ride is, but it can also affect your alignment and the longevity of your tires by extension.
All of these issues will affect the longevity of your tires, the cost of maintenance later on, and the life expectancy of your car. Including these systems in your regular course of vehicle maintenance may cost you more now, but it will ensure that you spend less overall to keep your vehicle on the road. For more information, talk to a place like Alaska Chevron Service.