Your tires are key parts of your car; thus, this post by USA Synthetics in Oklahoma City lists a few preventive maintenance tasks you must follow to keep your wheel-tire sets in mint shape.

Basic Preventive Maintenance Procedures for Your Tires

Check Tire Pressure

Having proper tire pressure is critical for your vehicle's fuel efficiency, operation, and safety, hence the importance of checking their inflation regularly. The reason for doing this is that tires tend to become underinflated; in fact, they lose approximately 1 pound per square inch of pressure per month. As you might expect, driving with underinflated tires can be unsafe and ineffective. For example, when tires rotate with less pressure than recommended, they need more energy to support the vehicle's load while overcoming the increased rolling resistance. Thus, the engine must burn vast amounts of fuel, negatively impacting your fuel economy and tire tread. Likewise, overinflated tires reduce friction and poor driver handling, making your vehicle undoubtedly unsafe. Given all the risks associated with inadequate tire pressure, make sure to check their inflation as part of their preventive maintenance. Fortunately, doing so is quite simple; for starters, you should consult your owner's manual to verify the operating pressure at which your tires must be inflated. Then, measure each tire's pressure by removing the caps from their air valves to push the tire gauge against them for a couple of seconds. Finally, look at the gauge's reading and determine if the inflation of your tires matches the recommended operating pressure described in your owner's manual; if it doesn't, correct it by following the instructions described at the tire placard in the driver-side door.

Keep your engine running smoothly for longer by giving it high-quality lubricants for its preventive maintenance, like AMSOIL's Signature Series 0W-20 Synthetic Motor Oil. To learn more about the benefits of giving your vehicle the most reliable synthetic oil in Oklahoma City, call USA Synthetics at (405) 388-6170 or visit AMSOIL's online store.

Wheel Alignment

As a car owner, you should know that your vehicle comprises alignment specifications for its wheels. Keeping these angles is highly important to your car's overall performance because they allow your tires to rotate perpendicular to the ground and parallel to each other, improving the tire performance and handling of the vehicle. In most cases, it is recommended to get a wheel alignment once every year; however, this may vary depending on the use you give your car. For example, suppose you mostly drive through irregular, rough surfaces. In that case, chances are the contact between those roads and your tires generates a significant impact that results in your wheels falling out of their specified alignment angles more often. Nonetheless, it would be best if you looked into your owner's manual to verify your car's wheel alignment intervals. Plus, make sure to call your trusted mechanic if you notice the main signs of misaligned wheels, including that your steering wheel vibrates, your tires produce a squealing sound, or that your vehicle is suddenly pulling to one side while driving.

Besides maintaining your tires in mint shape, take good care of your engine by giving it high-quality lubricants, like AMSOIL's Signature Series 0W-20 Synthetic Motor Oil. Call USA Synthetics at (405) 388-6170 or visit AMSOIL's online store to place an order on the most effective synthetic oil in Oklahoma City.

Tire Balancing

Simply put, each one of your tires' weights should be distributed evenly to rotate smoothly. Conversely, unbalanced tires might spin ineffectively, compromising your vehicle's performance, fuel efficiency, and safety on the road. Now, it's important to note that tires and wheels are manufactured with minor weight disparities; plus, a few other factors contribute to their imbalance. For example, if a wheel weight gets detached by hitting a pothole accidentally, if one of your axles gets bent, or if your tires are improperly inflated. When a tire develops a heavy spot somewhere, the weight imbalance causes the wheel-tire set to rotate unevenly, which can be noticed by the driver through increased vehicle vibration and decreased handling control. If you ever perceive that your vehicle wobbles while driving, make sure to get your wheel assemblies checked and balanced by your trusted mechanic.

Tire Rotation

Last but not least, make sure to keep up with your vehicle's tire rotation. This maintenance procedure essentially involves moving your wheel-tire assemblies from one position to another, for example, taking your front tires to the back and the ones on the left to the right. Tire rotation might sound like a simple service; however, it plays a critical role in maintaining your vehicle's fuel efficiency and improving tire performance. Keep in mind your tires are continuously in contact with the ground; still, not all surfaces are even. Some roads can harm your wheel-tire assemblies by being irregular or rough, hence, wearing out your vehicle's suspension or causing your wheels to fall out of their alignment angles. Altogether, these factors contribute to uneven treadwear, hence the need for getting your tires rotated periodically. Seasoned mechanics often recommend getting a tire rotation every 5,000 to 8,000 miles. However, this interval may vary depending on the type of vehicle you drive; hence, make sure to refer to your owner's manual to determine your car's tire rotation intervals.

Is your vehicle due for a synthetic oil change in Oklahoma City? If so, reach out to the experts at USA Synthetics by calling them at (405) 388-6170, and ask them about the benefits of using top-performing lubricants and oils for your engine. If you want to explore the full line of AMSOIL products, visit the online store and place an order on the products your car needs.