Own a Classic Car? 2 Tips to Keep the Tires in Good Condition

If you own a classic car, you likely keep it well protected at all times, and you may not drive it a lot. Even if this is true with you, you can still have problems with the tires. To prevent damage to your tires from happening, below are two tips you should find helpful.

Prevent Flat Spot

If your car sits for long periods of time, the weight of your car presses down on the tires, and your tires will lose air over time. Once this happens, the middle section of the tire that sits on the ground will warp and flatten.

If the car does not sit for a very long period of time, flat spotting may be temporary. If the tires do not look deteriorated, drive the car to see if the tires round out as they warm up. If so, you will not have to replace the tires.

During cold weather, this problem can happen more quickly. This is because the cold causes the rubber to stiffen.

To keep this from happening, take your classic car for a drive for about 30 minutes to an hour once per week.

Prevent Low Air Pressure

Take time to check the air pressure on your tires periodically. If you drive your car with tires that have low pressure, the low pressure can affect the braking and handling, especially if the roads are wet. If the tires are severely under-inflated, heat will build up and cause a tire blow out while you are driving. Check the pressure at least once a month and before any long trips.

You can easily check the air pressure yourself using a tire gauge, which can be purchased at an auto-parts store.

Before you check the pressure, you have to determine what the correct air pressure is for your tires. Because you have a classic car, you will likely have to do some research. If you are lucky, you will find a decal in the glove box showing the correct pressure. You may find the pressure is different for the front and back tires.

Always check the pressure when the tires are cold, which would be a couple of hours after you quit driving. When driving your car, the air inside your tires heats up and the tires expand, and that gives an inaccurate pressure reading.

Talk with a mechanic or a professional at a tire store if you have questions about these two things. A professional can also give you more tips to keep your tires in good condition.