Preventative Maintenance for your Wheels, from your friends at Condor Automotive Group, your premiere Philadelphia Mercedes-Benz retailer with three locations to serve you.

Tires are one of the most important parts of a vehicle. Tires mean the difference between a smooth ride and a shaky ride. They can affect the number of miles you achieve with your vehicle per gallon. Tires provide a level of traction in bad weather.

Getting the most from your tires means proper maintenance and safe driving. By following some simple tips, you can get much more life out of your tires than if you simply take them for granted.

Knowing the manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure is one of the most vital ways you can extend the life of your tires.

The wrong amount of pressure causes the tire to wear in places it shouldn't. Too much pressure could result in a blowout at high speeds on the highway. Too little pressure can cause your tire to go flat in a matter of a few miles. In addition, low tire pressure could also decrease the tire’s mileage by up to 20 percent. The car’s gas mileage also suffers from inadequate pressure.

Check the pressure of your tires about once a week with a tire gage. Tires lose air naturally. Whether through tiny holes or the valve cap, a tire loses a few pounds of pressure without the decrease being noticeable to the naked eye. The weather also causes a tire to lose pressure – colder weather causes slight deflation and warmer weather causes slight inflation.

Keep maintenance records for your tires. Create a log in which you record the times you check pressure and when you add air to the tires. Make a note of the wear patterns if you notice any unusual wear in the treads or around the sidewalls.

When it comes time to replace the tires, write down the mileage of your vehicle. Check that mileage against the manufacturer’s recommended mileage for your particular tires. This can help you decide if you need to modify your driving habits with your new set of tires so they last longer.

Rotating your tires on a regular basis is one of the best ways to extend their life. In many cases, rotating tires extends the life of the tires by up to 30 percent. Try to have your tires rotated about every 5,000 miles so they wear evenly.

You can rotate tires yourself, but many oil change facilities and mechanics shops will do this rather inexpensively. Experts can inspect the tires and notice if they have uneven wear patterns that indicate a need for a balancing or replacement.

Taking care of your tires not only extends their life, but it extends the life of your entire vehicle. A smoother ride means less vibration. Fewer vibrations means the parts of your car stay tight and secure. Better tires also lead to better gas mileage and overall vehicle durability.

Drive safe and participate in your vehicle’s preventative maintenance to get many years of enjoyment with fewer out-of-pocket expenses.