One of the most important, yet most neglected parts of cars are the tires. In the 21st century, most cars have alloy wheels because they are lighter and they improve the overall performance of a car. The result is longevity and smoother rides.
However, continued neglect of your wheels until they break down can damage your car. This is not to mention that replacements can be very expensive. To make sure your wheels continue to be road-worthy for a long time, it’s vital to develop a maintenance routine for it.
Learn How to Clean It Properly
Ideally, you should clean your tires after every trip. But that’s not very realistic given that it’s time-consuming. What you can do, however, is to regularly rinse your wheels with water every night to keep them in good condition.
When you want to wash the entire exterior of your car, it’s better to do the wheels first. This is to avoid having too much brake dust on your car’s exterior. Also, avoid cleaning your wheels immediately after a drive. Rinsing them with water right away will damage the integrity of the alloy. That said, let them cool down first, then rinse away.
Although it’s not necessary to do this regularly, you should consider removing the wheels of your car anytime you want to do a deep clean. Doing this will allow you to access every nook and cranny of the wheels. If you’ve just gotten your first car and don’t know how to remove the wheels, here’s a step-by-step guide.
- Make sure you’re cleaning on a level surface, and don’t forget to turn the handbrake on.
- Using a wheel brace, turn the nuts until they loosen.
- Jack up the car using the appropriate jack or a trolley. If you don’t know where to put the jack, you can see a guide in the car’s manual.
- *You can then place an axle stand beneath the jacking points and lower the car onto it.
- Finally, remove the loosened tire and wash it thoroughly.
- Also, the alloy wheel must not come into contact with the ground to avoid scratching. Suspend the wheel on something to keep it away from the ground. Make sure the wheel is fully cleaned and dry before you put it back in the car.
Check Your Tire Pressure Regularly
Every month, tires lose approximately a pound per square inch of air. The figure is even higher in colder climates. So the next time you visit your mechanic, ask them if your tire pressure is fine and make sure to visit them regularly since having an under-inflated tire is extremely dangerous. You may also contact Evolution Engineering if you want a professional wheels and mags repair service provider to be always at your back.
If you’re too busy to go to a mechanic, there are some ways for you to check your tire pressure.
- Look at the car’s manual. The PSI indicated is the lowest PSI one would have to inflate their tires.
- Once you know your tires’ PSI, unscrew the valve stem cap.
- Get your air pressure gauge and record the reading.
- After getting the reading, screw the valve stem cap back.
- Check the reading if the PSI is greater or lower than the recommended PSI.
The manufacturer’s PSI recommendation is the optimum measure for your tires. However, you can also add a few pounds of pressure for better fuel efficiency. But doing so can also make your ride a bit bumpier and can even make uneven tire wear. That said, do so with tact. Checking your tire pressure regularly extends their lifetime.
Remove Brake Dust
Let’s admit it: your wheels are one of the hardest parts of your car to maintain. The main reason for this is brake dust. Brake dust is one of the most bothersome problems in cars because they are corrosive and difficult to move, especially when deposited. Brake dust comes from your brake pads, which send brake dust to your wheels when used. The dust can accumulate and damage the wheels down the line.
Brake dust is composed of adhesive residues, metal filings, and carbon fibers. The dust will stick to the wheel’s protective coating and eventually lead to corrosion because of the high-temperature environment. This is extremely dangerous.
Get Your Car Maintained by a Professional Every Month
Having your car maintained professionally is as easy as finding a reliable mechanic to do the job. But as we all know, it doesn’t come cheap. Maintenance can even be more financially demanding in emergency situations.
If you’re in a desperate situation to have your car fixed, but don’t have the money to do so, try looking for loans – especially personal loans. Personal loans are flexible and can be used for almost any kind of financial situation, like, in this case, emergency repairs. You can get a quick loan advance, which can take just a few days to process.
Conclusion
The wheels are the hardest part to clean in your car, but you should never neglect them. Your wheels are also one of the most expensive parts of your vehicle, so keeping them maintained will make them last longer and save you a lot of money down the road. But with well-maintained wheels, you’ll have a smoother ride and you’ll be much safer on your trips.