November 09, 2010
Timeless tire tips you can share with your customers
By: Mike Manges
This summer, just for kicks, I bought a copy of "Economy Driving: How You Can Save Money In Everyday Car Use," a paperback published in 1956, for a whopping $1.
I bought it for the cover (see thumbnail image) and the funny little cartoons inside the book. (One of them depicts a terrified vehicle owner climbing up the center post of a hydraulic lift to escape a pack of rabid, bill-wielding mechanics).
Then, one day, I decided to actually read the book, and lo and behold, found a chapter dedicated to tire maintenance. The chapter listed 10 "Rules for Tire Longevity," which are just as relevant today as they were 54 years ago. I thought I would reprint them here, in their original form:
1. Start and stop slowly. Those fast get-aways and sudden stops chew away at the tires. What's more, they waste gasoline, too.
2. Take it easy around curves. Two-wheel turns are fine for stock car races, but they don't make sense on the road. Fast turns wear tires unevenly.
3. Don't scrape the curb. In an effort to pull up to the curb to park, many motorists exercise poor judgement of distance. Either they are "miles" away or they are so close that the casing is pressed up against the rough edge of the curb.
4. Align wheels. The front wheels of your car are easily knocked out of alignment and if they are not perfect there is an undue strain on your tires.
5. Keep brakes equalized. Unequal braking pressure on the wheels will cause parts of the tire to wear more quickly.
6. Rotate tires regularly. At least twice a year or about every 5,000 miles, the tires of your car should be rotated.
7. Have the wheels balanced. It's a good idea to have your wheels balanced every time you rotate the tires.
8. Inspect treads regularly. While it may be annoying to inspect the treads everytime you take a trip, you should do so. On the other hand, if you use your car for short hops, this tread check should be made every few days.
9. Maintain tire pressure. Check the pressure of each of the tires once a week. And don't forget the spare. The pressure should be checked when tires are "cold," before starting out rather than after a long ride. Tires heat up as you ride and pressure builds up. How much pressure you can use depends on the type of tire on your car. Both over- and underinflation cause tire damage.
10. Use caps on all valves. Valves are somewhat delicate and need protection. Keeping caps on the valves will help you maintain the required pressure on your tires.
Do you share tire maintenance advice with your customers? If not, maybe you can start by sharing some of the timeless tips found on this list!
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