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Most people neglect their tires. That’s too bad because with a little love and attention, you can assure your tires are safe to drive on and you can save a lot of money. With that mission in mind, here are some “hacks” that you can use to save your hard earned money and reduce your risk of problems.

Keep them inflated properly

We hope you know that underinflated tires are a bad thing. First, underinflated tires don’t roll as easily and this affects your gas mileage. How much, you ask? According to Bedford Jeep (Bedford Hills, NY), if your tires are 10 lbs underinflated, your gas mileage will be 5% less than usual.  Note: the correct pressure to inflate your tires is NOT what the pressure stated on the actual tire.  What you see on the actual tire is the maximum pressure. The pressure you should inflate your tires to is in your owner’s manual or on the sticker in your door jambs.

Buy them at the right time

Does your car need new tires? Major tip: buy your winter tires in the summer and summer tires in the winter. It’s a simple thing and very few people do it! Just think about it, retailers need sales year round and guess what they incentivize when products sell slowly – off-season goods!

Shop around

So when was the last time you compared prices from multiple tire shops in hopes of getting the best deal? Most people don’t. They just go for whatever the local tire store recommends. Definitely look into the discount retailers as they frequently have the best prices. Keep your eyes peeled for rebates also.

Not all tires are created equal

In areas that see a winter weather, buy a second set of winter tires from places like Rivercity Motors. What most people do is get a second set of rims and they keep their winter tires and summer tires separate. While a second set of rims can be expensive, you can always get used ones from a local auto recycling facility.

Don’t  trash punctured tires

In most cases, there is absolutely nothing wrong with patching a tire that has a hole in it.  If you find a nail in the center of your tread that is leaking air, bring it to your local dealer or repair facility and have them patch it. Typically this will cost $25 or so and will save you from buying a new tire.

Don’t forget alignments

This final tip is more common sense than anything else. If your tires show uneven wear patterns, get your vehicle’s alignment checked out. This is especially true if you get new tires, get a front-end alignment too and protect your investment!

Earthgarage – Greener Car. Fatter Wallet.