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Car care tips for Tyres, Wheels, and Brakes

It is important to take care of the interior and exterior of the car. It is also necessary care for important car components like tyres, wheels, and brakes. Read to find out how you can enhance the life of your car by taking these preventive measures.

Keep the caps on

It really ruins your day when you discover a flat tyre in your driveway just when you are ready to start your morning commute. If the tyre valve is missing its caps, you can blame the leaky valve for the mishap. These caps prevent the accumulation of dirt and moisture that can cause leaks. So next time, be extra sure to keep caps on all your car's tyre valves. Another quick tip - when you replace car tyres, ask the tyre shop to provide new valves with the tyres.

Proper inflation

Proper inflation of the tyres is a prime way of enhancing their life. Under inflated tyres cause excessive heat and stress that can lead to tyre punctures. One of the easiest ways of getting extra miles from your tyres is to gauge the tyre pressure regularly and maintain the optimum pressure level all the time. The precise pressure to be maintained is mentioned in the owner's manual. Also, gauge the tyre pressure when they are cold (driven for less than one mile) for an accurate reading.

Beware the wet thumb

If you top of the tyre pressure at a service station, make sure that there is no moisture coming from the air pump. Here is how you can check it: depress the inside the inflator valve with your thumbnail, and if your thumb gets wet, it means that there is moisture in the air pump. In such scenarios, inform the station manager about the air pump and head to a different station. Moisture, when trapped inside tyres, will not only cause the pressure variations but also cause the rims to corrode faster.

Check for uneven wear

Also check your car's tyres for any kind of uneven wears. If you have maintaining proper tyre inflation, uneven tyres indicate that there is a need for wheel realignment. Additionally, it also means improperly operating brakes or shocks, a bent wheel, internal tyre damage, or worn bushings.

Rotate your tyres

Rotating your car's tyres not only ensures even tyre wear but also maximum road life out of them. The first rotation is of prime importance. Your owner's manual specifies both rotation period and pattern. If it does not, rotate your tyres every 6,000 to 7,500 miles (9,700 to 12,000 km). You can find out about the proper pattern of rotation from your dealer.

When temperatures affect tyre inflation

Tyres tend to lose pressure when the outside temperature fluctuates. A drop of 6 degrees Celsius will decrease a tyre's air pressure by 1 or 2 pounds. Tyres can lose even more air in hot weather. Under inflated tyres can, additionally, result in faster wear and bad driving performance. If you live in a place where temperature fluctuations are rapid, check your tyre pressure more than regularly and add air as needed.

Buy used tyres

Say it is time to change your car tyres, but you plan to retain the car only for just another year. In such cases, it is unwise to invest in new tyres. What you can do is buy a set of used tyres. Call your local tyre dealers and you will surprised to see the available deals. Many image conscious car owners turn in their car's tyres without much wear and tear. Keep your tyre size handy, though.

Use wheel cleaner

Car's wheels are the ones that have to fight the battle with the dust and dirt. The dust on the roads easily wears off the brake pads and the resultant stains are tough to remove when you wash the vehicle. In cases like these, car washing liquids are not of much avail. What you really need is a wheel cleaner which is specifically made for tackling such stains. Be sure to choose the correct formulation, because some cleaners are meant for metal wheels, and others are designed for painted or clear-coated wheels. You can protect metal wheels with wheel polish and painted wheels with a coat of wax.

Lubricate lug nuts

Lug nuts need to be lubricated regularly. If not, it may seize or "freeze" to the studs as a result of corrosion. Repairing them can prove to be a costly affair. Also calling a tow truck in case you cannot remove a flat tyre can be even more expensive. What you can do is, pick up some anti-seize lubricant from a auto supply shop. Clean the stud threads with wire brush and wipe them with the lubricant. These lubes prevent the lug nuts (and spark plugs, too) from seizing and loosening when you drive.

Hang on to your hubcaps

Improperly installed or loosened hub caps, wheel covers, and center caps can pop off the car's wheels while you are driving. Additionally, these items can fall off when they are damaged by being jammed against a curb while parking. If the metal hubcap in your car has loosened, remove it and turn the metal clips outward slightly. This would take care of the problem.

Plastic hubcaps and wheel covers are usually kept together by retaining a wire ring that fits into tabs on the wheel. While installing such a cap cover, be extra careful not to bend or break the tabs.

One of the best ways to prevent your expensive hubcaps from damages is to remove them before you take your car for a repair that does not need wheel removal.

Have wheel alignment checked

Regular wheel alignment checkups are very important for your car to function properly. Make sure to check wheel alignment every 48,000 km or as suggested in your owner's manual. Also have it checked after replacing old tyres or rack-and-pinion steering unit or other steering parts. Improper wheel alignment can reduce the life of tyres as well as affect your driving experience. If you notice more than stiffness in the steering, you might just be dealing with improperly aligned wheels.

Top off your brake fluid

Monthly checkups of brake fluids will help you get a smooth ride. Before opening the master cylinder lid, wipe off any kind of dirt on it. In case you need fluids, use the one recommended by your manufacturer. Avoid substituting other fluids, like transmission or power-steering fluid. Also avoid using brake fluid from a previously opened container. Because brake fluids, when exposed to air, easily absorb moisture and contaminate.

Care for anti-lock brakes

The anti-lock brake system in a car is very sensitive to moisture, which can damage the expensive ABS pump and can also rot the brake lines from the inside. Brake fluid attracts moisture, and hence need to be "bled" or purged at least every three years, or as mentioned in your owner's manual.

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