You can’t always see tire wear, so it’s a good idea to check your tire treads using the penny test. Insert a penny upside down into any groove on your tire. If you can see all of Abraham Lincoln’s head, this means that your tires are worn and might need to be replaced. [3] X Trustworthy Source Consumer Reports Nonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing Go to source
You might really notice the shaking and vibrations when you are driving at high speeds.
You can easily calculate your fuel consumption to determine your fuel efficiency. Simply record your odometer reading when you fill up on gas, what it reads when you stop to fill up again, and how many gallons filled up your car. Subtract your 2nd odometer reading from your 1st and divide it by the number of gallons. This tells you how many miles or kilometers you drove per gallon of gas you used. It’s a good idea to check your tire pressure about once a month, especially if you notice your car is using more gas than normal. A sticker on your driver’s side door will tell you the recommended PSI for each tire. Place a tire pressure gauge at the tire’s valve and check its reading. If your car tire is below the recommended PSI, add more air.
Practice good driving habits like braking slowly and maintaining a constant speed to help your tires last longer. Braking suddenly and hard puts a lot of stress on your tires which can cause them to wear out faster. This also happens when you accelerate quickly. [10] X Research source Schedule a regular tire rotation appointment after every 3,000-5,000 miles (4,800-8,000km) to help your tires wear evenly. During this process, your mechanic simply switches your front and back tires. If you’re handy, it’s easy to rotate your tires yourself.
In fact, experts recommend balancing your tires when you replace, repair, or install a new tire. This addresses any weight imbalances right away and prevents further issues from developing. [12] X Research source
To adhere the weights to your wheel, clean off any grime with a tire cleaner. Then simply use super glue to stick the weights onto the outside of the rim. Portable tire balancers usually cost around $70. You can also balance your tires with a tire balancer machine. These typically cost around $1,000 and up.
A car balancing service for all 4 tires can cost anywhere from $15 to $80.