Replacing old, worn-out tires is an excellent way to restore your vehicle's handling and performance. On the other hand, replacing a tire with plenty of tread remaining can feel like a major waste of money. Unfortunately, ignoring a tire that's losing air is reckless at best. Damaged tires can make your vehicle unsafe to drive and are more likely to fail catastrophically.

Repairs are one of the best ways to avoid unnecessary replacements, but they aren't always guaranteed to succeed. Some tire problems are too severe to repair, in which case you'll probably just need to replace the tire. If you want to maximize the life of your tires, follow these three tips to help ensure you'll be able to repair any damage they suffer.

1. Regularly Inspect Your Tires

Your tires must survive a range of harsh conditions, including rough roads and constant heating and cooling cycles. As a result, any damage to your tires will tend to get worse over time. A small air leak can lose more and more air, eventually becoming too large to patch successfully. Once you pass the point of no return, you'll have no option but to replace the tire.

Regularly inspecting your tires can help you spot trouble before it's too late. If your vehicle doesn't have a tire pressure monitoring system, you should check your tire pressure at least once per month. Never ignore the indications of damage or lost air pressure. Instead, take your car into a shop immediately to evaluate the tire and explore options for repair.

2. Never Drive on a Flat Tire

How far can you safely drive on a flat tire? The answer, of course, is not at all. Moving on a flat tire puts stress on the sidewall, and you can cause structural damage by driving even a few hundred feet. Sidewall damage is inevitably fatal for tires, so you won't be able to repair the source of your air loss if you attempt to limp home on a flat.

If you want to repair your tire, always call for a tow or use a spare tire. You can also keep a portable air compressor in your vehicle for emergencies, but be careful to check that your tire isn't losing air too quickly. Never travel more than a short distance on any tire with a leak, even if the leak seems to be slow.

3. Avoid Potholes

Small punctures are sometimes unavoidable, but you can usually keep your tires from suffering more severe and unrepairable damage. Always do your best to avoid potholes, and never drive over curbs or other obstructions. These impacts are likely to cause severe damage that you can't repair, potentially forcing you to replace otherwise healthy tires.

By taking these precautions, you're more likely to avoid causing damage that can completely ruin your tires, allowing you to repair tires in otherwise good condition and keep them rolling for as long as possible. Keep these tips in mind as you look for tire repair services near you.

Share