Tires and wheels are arguably one of the most expensive parts of any vehicle, but more so perhaps for powersports vehicles because these are built specifically to withstand hard usage. In other words, these are more prone to earlier wear and tear compared to other vehicles. And such products as Tire and Wheel Coverage can at least ensure that the owner won’t be financially burdened in the future, should the time come for the tires and/or wheels to be replaced.
While inclusions may vary from one provider to the next, the general goal of tire and wheel coverage is to provide a certain level of protection for vehicle owners against future financial burdens. This, however, shouldn’t be a factor for neglecting your tires and wheels entirely. Responsible ownership means properly caring for the vehicle for your safety and others on the road with you. And this includes tires and wheels.
With that said, here are a few tire and wheel maintenance basics every vehicle owner should know about:
1. Make sure the tires are properly inflated
Did you know that every year, about 600 deaths and more than 30,000 injuries are caused by under-inflated tires? For your own safety and that of others on the road/track with you, keep your tires properly inflated. Check your owner’s manual or the sticker on your vehicle for proper PSI. Make sure to follow the recommended PSI, which means if you over-inflate, deflate or let air out until you reach the right level.
2. Check tire tread
There are two things you need to watch out for when it comes to your tire tread: uneven tread and low tread depth. If your tire tread is uneven, it means your tires need rotating. This helps prolong the tire’s shelf life.
And if your tire tread depth is low, it might be time to replace your tires. A low tread depth basically means you won’t have as much traction on the road anymore, which could result in sliding or hydroplaning. And if you’re driving in rainy weather, you’re at an even higher risk of hydroplaning.
3. Keep wheels balanced/aligned
Frequent usage, particularly on rough terrain, can cause your wheels to become misaligned. And when this happens, you could experience uneven tread wear. It may also cause tire tread to wear out sooner rather than later. Dealerships recommend having the wheels aligned by a professional mechanic after about 25,000 km or when you notice something amiss when you drive/ride.
Offer the best tire and wheel coverage and other F&I solutions and products to your customers. Contact us today to learn more. Please feel free to call Torque Group at (800) 859-0590. You may also send a message at info@torque-group.com.
