People tend to do more driving during the summer when the weather is nice outside and the snow, sleet and other inclement weather of seasons past are far behind them. But if you are going to spend extra time in your vehicle this summer, you'll want to make sure you do what you can to reduce the wear and tear on your tires. Here are a few summer tire tips to keep in mind as you hit the road during the warmest time of the year.

Ensure the Tires Are Properly Inflated

As your tires move down the road, they will naturally begin to lose a bit of their air pressure over time. As your tires loose inflation, they will begin to pick up more wear and tear as the rubber struggles to get the job done. Low inflation will reduce your handling and could even create an unsafe situation. Keep your tires topped off by checking them at an air pressure machine every other time you go to get gas. This will allow you to maintain the proper pressure while also receiving an early warning if one of your tires should spring an air leak.

Get the Tires Rotated

If you are going to be spending a lot of time on the open road moving from one summer road trip to your next weekend joyride, you'll also want to make sure you are not wearing out your tires too much on any one side. As your vehicle moves down the road, one side of the tire tends to take the brunt of the wear. That's why car experts suggest rotating your tires during every oil change. If you will be especially busy this summer, you might even want to consider rotating your tires in between long road trips. This will ensure an even break down over time, allow you to use your existing tires for as long as possible.

Check Tire Alignment

Finally, the summer is also a good time to take a closer look at your car's alignment. This might not have been your top priority during the winter when you were just worried about dealing with the ice and snow well enough to keep your car on the road. But now, you can check your car's alignment by taking your hand off the wheel for a just few moments as you move down a straight road. If your car begins to naturally drift one direction or another, you may have an alignment issue. This could cause extra wear and tear on your tires and should be fixed ASAP.

Contact a tire shop today for more information.