Three Common Auto Tire Myths And The Truth You Should Know

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Automotive tires are one of the least understood elements of most cars, partially due to the many misconceptions circulating among vehicle owners. Some of those misconceptions have been passed around for so many years that it's tough to tell what the truth really is. The downside is that some misconceptions can be damaging to your car. It's important that you know the plain truth behind some of these misconceptions to protect both your tires and your car.

Myth: Your Tire Pressure Monitor is Reliable

Although tire pressure monitoring can seem convenient, they aren't required to trigger an alert until the tire is under-inflated by at least 25 percent of the full pressure recommendation for the tire. A tire that's under-inflated that much is unsafe to drive on, because it can render the tire unable to support the weight of the vehicle properly. For this reason, monitoring systems shouldn't be the sole source of under-inflation monitoring. Instead, you should check your tire pressure regularly as well.

The best way to monitor your car's tire pressure is with a reliable pressure gauge. Invest in a quality gauge from your mechanic and check the pressure at least once a month and any time you notice handling issues. The sticker inside the driver's door will list the recommended pressure for your car.

Myth: Inflate Your Tires to the Pressure Listed on the Sidewall

The tire pressure rating stamped on the sidewall isn't the recommended pressure rating. It's the maximum safe pressure that the tire can withstand. That doesn't take into account vehicle weight, suspension issues or other considerations. Each of these factors contribute to the recommended pressure level provided by your car's manufacturer.

Inflating your tires to the level printed on the sidewall can cause your car to have poor fuel economy and it may even cause abnormal wear on the tire tread. The tires will probably wear in the center, because the over-inflation will cause the tire to bulge around the center of the tread. Instead, keep your tire pressure within the range specified by the manufacturer. If your car is missing the sticker inside the driver's door, you can also find the recommended pressure listed in the owner's manual.

Myth: When Replacing Two Tires, Put New Ones in Front

At the first glance, this myth may seem to make sense. You might think that putting the new tires on the front will give your car better grip on the road. After all, the tires in the front lead the way, don't they? To understand why this is a myth, you need to understand how your tires work. The two rear tires are the ones that supply the stability to the car on the road. Without the stability, your car may slip on damp surfaces.

If you put the new tires in the front, it could cause your front tires to disperse water on the road while leaving your rear tires to slip due to poor grip on wet pavement. The water on the pavement will settle between the tires and the road, because the tread is too worn to grip the pavement. This can cause your car to hydroplane. To prevent this, put the new tires on the rear of the car, then rotate the old ones from the rear to the front.

The tires on your car are an essential part of the stability and safety of the car. Now that you know the truth behind these three myths, you'll be able to more safely handle your tires and keep your car safer on the road. Talk with your local tire shop for additional info about the best tires and inflation rating for your car.

5 August 2015