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How to Take Care of Your Tires During Disuse

Like many folks during this time, it’s unlikely that you’re driving your car very often. However, though your car is not being driven, the tires can leak and get flat. Here are some tips on how to make sure your tire and car stay ready for when you are ready to hit the road. 

  1. Clean your tires 
    1. Wash your tires with soap, water and damp cloth. This will make it easier to inspect the tires and see if there are any deformities. Also, do not use a pressure washer on your tires as it can hurt the rubber and make them more susceptible to breakage. Look for wear and tears all over your tires, including the inside to make sure your tires aren’t wearing down unevenly. Check the tread of your tires by using a tread gauge or by using Queen Elizabeth’s head on a coin 
  2. Lift your car up 
    1. A car that stays stagnant on its wheels for too long runs the risk of getting flat spots on the bottom of the tires. You can lift your car using a lift, or axel lifts if you have those lying around.  
  3. Over-inflate your tires 
    1. If you do not have access to a lift or axel lifts for your vehicle, you can overinflate your tires to keep them from getting a flat spot. However, this can be risky because if you drive on overinflated tires, they can wear unevenly and reduce the lifespan of the tires. One PSI should be enough to overinflate your tires but make sure not to go over the recommended tire pressure stated on the tire. 
  4. Make sure to move the vehicle 
    1. Put your vehicle in neutral and physically move the vehicle back and forth 30 cm every other week. This is recommended because it makes sure that there will be no flat spots on your tires. Do not turn on the vehicle as that can kill the battery faster, and moisture can build up in the exhaust and fuel tank. Only turn on your vehicle when you’re ready to drive it somewhere. 
  5. Keep the vehicle in the shade 
    1. The rubber that makes up tires doesn’t particularly like UV rays so it’s good to make sure not to leave your vehicle hanging around in the sun for weeks and week. This will protect the vehicle from the elements as well and keep it looking good for longer. 
  6. Tire Sneakers 
    1. These are plastic or foam molded blocks for your tires so when your vehicle is sitting on a hard surface for a long time, these will help reduce the risk of flat spots.  
  7. Check on the brake pads/disks 
    1. If you can do so safely, turn off the hand brake, leave your vehicle in gear and chuck the wheels so that the rear brake disk does not adhere to the brake pads. This should only be done if it can be done safely.  

Having a vehicle sitting around for a while can make things difficult if you do not care for it properly. Proper maintenance will keep your vehicle running smoothly even while it’s not running. If you expect not to be driving your vehicle for long periods of time, make sure to get a battery tender so the car battery does die before you even start your vehicle. These tips should extend the life of your vehicle and tires so that you can get back onto the road as soon as possible.  

Check out our accessories page for parts and accessories to make your ride better!