The constant weight, pressure, and friction that your tires experience mean that as they wear down, they are increasingly at risk of springing a leak and becoming flat. This can be a serious safety concern since a sudden flat tire while driving can cause you to lose control of your vehicle and collide with another vehicle or some other obstacle. Fortunately, there are a few things that you can do to reduce the risk of your tires suddenly springing a flat.

Maintain Recommended Air Pressure

The simplest thing that you can do to ensure that your tires stay in good condition for as long as possible is to maintain the recommended air pressure. Overinflated tires are at risk of suddenly bursting since there is greater pressure placed on the tire itself, whereas underinflated tires experience more friction with the road and thus wear down faster. You should check the air pressure at least once a month. You can do so at most gas stations. The recommended air pressure range is printed directly on the sidewall of your tire, and you can adjust as needed using regular air pumps.

Avoid Rough Roads

Though this may not always be possible, a simple thing that you can do—that simply requires you to alter your driving habits—is to avoid roads that are not properly paved or which have a number of potholes and other hazards on them. Uneven surfaces can increase the risk of a puncture occurring, especially if there is debris present, such as loose gravel or bits of metal or glass.

Reduce Weight of Your Vehicle 

Another simple thing that you can do to reduce the amount of stress that your tires are placed under is to minimize the weight of your vehicle as much as possible. This means unloading unnecessary items that you may have stored in the back of your car, and removing accessories that you may not be using, like roof storage bins, and bike racks.

Schedule Brake Maintenance

Your brakes play a direct role in the amount of wear that your tires experience while driving. Worn down brakes may cause excessive wear to your tires since they will take longer to actually slow down your vehicle and thus cause more friction. Replacing your brake pads regularly ensures that your tires are not worn down prematurely, while also maintaining the performance of your brake system.

Even when you use all these tips, your tires will eventually wear out. When it's time to replace your tires, don't hesitate to contact a tire dealer like East Bay Tire Co.