Easy Wheel and Tire Care

Your tires and wheels could be considered the most important part on your car. They are the single connection between your car, and the road, so care for them is critical. So how can you make sure their safe, and what's the best way to clean and protect your wheels and tires?

Each time you drive your car, you should at least glance at each tire to make sure it has air. Occasionally you should check the pressure on each tire and add or subtract air if needed. You can buy an electric gauge, or stop by a gas station to do this. Proper pressure is important as it can hurt the cars handling, gas mileage and increase wear and tear on your tires. Every few weeks you should do a check on the tread depth as well. Most tires have wear bars in the tread that will warn you when its time to buy a new set. Check for objects such as screws or nails in your tire. If you find something and the tire isn't too low on air, don't try and pull it out, you can still drive the car to get it plugged. If you decided to plug it yourself, never plug a puncture on the sidewall.

Wheels can be unsafe too. Metal can fatigue and crack, making them dangerous to drive on. They also need to be inspected occasionally for cracks, warping or excessive damaged from curbs or pot holes. Damaged wheels can also have an adverse effect on handling making the car dangerous to drive.

Maintenance on your wheels and tires can be very simple. Just about any store has cleaners for both. I recommend eagle one for the wheels, and Bleach White for the tires. Take a look at the stores selection, and make sure you get the correct type of cleaner for your wheels. There are special formulas for magnesium and aluminum wheels, which won't damage these types. Just about any brush or towel will work if you keep your wheels clean. If you wait too long, the brake dust will build up, and eventually become almost impossible to remove. To prevent this I recommend "Wheel Wax". It's a special wax for your wheels that make brake dust easier to remove, and actually protects your wheels. Since it's so hard to clean the inside of your wheels, I recommend pulling them off every few months, cleaning the inside well, and applying the wax. The brake dust builds up much slower and keeps it looking good if you can see inside the wheels from beside the car.

Many people like their tires to really shine. Unfortunately there are so many types on the market, it can be hard to decide to what will look and last the best. I've tried almost a dozen different types, and surprisingly what works the best isn't specifically made for tires! The secret is armor-all. After you've cleaned off the tires, spray it on, and use a paper cloth to dab off the white spots. It gives a great glossy shine, and lasts for about two weeks. The other benefit is it protects the tires from the elements, keeping them looking great!

Once you've got the tires and wheels cleaned up, this is the best time to look them over again for defects or damage. Check the wear on the tires, and if it's uneven remember that most places will check your alignment and tires for free. Enjoy your shiny new wheels and drive safely!