How to Clean and Protect Your Tires
When it comes to your car, your tires tend to get overlooked in the grand scheme of things. Most people only think about them when they get a flat or the seasons change and they need to put on winter tires.
Other than these situations, how often do you think about your tires, let alone worry about cleaning and protecting them? If you are like most people, not as often as you should.
How to clean your tires
There are many high quality tire care and cleaning products available to keep your tires protected, with the majority available at your local hardware store, Canadian Tire, or big box store. The important thing to keep in mind is to buy the right cleaner, given the type of tires and wheels you have.
Here is how to clean your tires:
- Make sure the wheels are cool, and the car has not been driven recently
- Apply the wheel cleaner (some cleaners require the tires to be wet)
- Use a scrub brush to remove dirt, grime, brake dust, and oil
- Rinse thoroughly and make sure all dirt is removed.
- Dry your tires with a soft cloth
- Wax your tires to provide them with an additional barrier of protection
Depending on how dirty your tires are, you may need to repeat steps 2-4 to remove all dirt.
If you are not a DIY-type person, you can always take your car into an auto detailer to have your tires, and the rest of your car, cleaned professionally.
Protecting your tires during the winter
The winter driving season is one of the roughest times of the year on your car, especially your tires. In addition to installing winter tires to protect your regular tires and improve driving safety, there are also a number of additional things you can do to protect your tires during the winter, including:
- Washing your tires regularly
- Removing road salt from your tires, wheel wells, and undercarriage
- Removing excessive ice and snow build up
- Ensuring your tires are inflated properly (something that will also help make your car more fuel efficient)
- Having your tires checked when you get an oil change
- Driving smart and not placing any undue stress on your tires
Benefits of cleaning your tires regularly
- Extend the lifespan of your tires
- Reduce wear and tear
- Maintain traction and performance
- Improve fuel efficiency
- Reduce the odds of having a blowout, flat or other common tire issue
How much attention do you give to your tires? Do you clean them regularly? What products do you use to clean them? Or are they an afterthought?
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