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We are living in the age of information - and the age of misinformation. In the last few years, we've seen a lot of false ideas being spread about wheels and tires, including myths that could be downright dangerous if believed.

Whether you're visiting the Wheel & Tire Superstore in Cedar Park because you want great custom wheels in Texas, or you need our excellent repair shop, we always want you driving safely. So, we wanted to take a few minutes to address some of the most pernicious rumors out there and substitute some wheel and tire facts instead!

Debunking Seven Common Myths About Wheels and Tires

1 - You can NOT rely entirely on your TPMS for tire alerts

Most modern cars come with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System - TPMS - which allows the car's onboard computer to monitor your tires' pressure. Many people believe this system does all the work for them, and if their tire pressure is ever low, the computer will let them know.

Unfortunately, that's not the case. The TPMS will only alert you to tire problems when the pressure is dangerously low. If your TPMS ever activates, that means you need to immediately add air at the first possible opportunity. You really should be actively checking your tire pressure yourself, around once a month, to be safe.

2 - You can NOT rely on your sidewall information for tire pressure

It's true that the sidewall of your tire includes a lot of information about the tire, including listing a tire pressure inflation number in PSI. However, this isn't the whole story. The numbers on your sidewall only list the maximum inflation in cold weather.

That second part is particularly important. Air expands in hot temperatures, so inflating a tire to the cold-weather maximum in summer will actually cause it to be over-inflated. So, you should keep your tire owner's manual in the car and refer to its inflation charts to know the proper inflation for different weather conditions.

3 - All new cars do NOT come with a spare tire

We've seen more than a few people get tripped up by this one. While cars produced in the 20th Century almost always included spare tires, that's no longer true today. With modern vehicles, some include spares, some only have a can of "fix a flat" emergency patching material, and some don't have any flat-tire repair options at all.

So, when you get a new car, it's crucial to check the trunk and see for yourself whether it has a spare tire. If not, visit your friendly local tire shop in Cedar Park to pick up a spare!

4 - You should rotate your tires MORE THAN once per year

We sometimes see "once per year" quoted for tire rotation, and we're not even sure where that came from. Your tires should be rotated more often than that. The industry standard is to rotate them every 5,000 - 8,000 miles... which is also roughly how often you should have your oil changed.

In other words, if you're taking your car to a shop for an oil change, have them rotate the tires while they're at it. This is inexpensive - and sometimes free - and will ensure your tires have the longest possible lifespan, while keeping you safer on the road.

5 - You can NOT "get away" with only replacing one tire

This one's tricky, because we know sometimes tire damage happens at inconvenient times. However, replacing a single wheel on an axle is a very bad idea. If one tire is substantially more worn-down than the other, your wheels will be inherently unbalanced. Your handling may be impacted as well. Further, this will actually put more pressure on the older tire and increase the chances of it becoming damaged.

If you need to replace a tire, it's truly better and safer to replace both wheels on an axle at the same time. At worst, you can keep the worn-down one as an emergency spare.

6 - Plus-sizing wheels is NOT particularly safe

We're seeing a lot of customers looking for custom wheels in Texas who also want to talk about plus-sizing their wheels.

This means putting rims on the car which are larger than manufacturer spec, while still using the same-size tires. The result is that the tires are stretched out, creating a super-thin sidewall which is trendy at the moment.

Proponents will say this is safe because it increases traction on the road, improving your grip and cornering, which is technically true. The problem is that your tires will have a much higher risk of damage, as well as wearing out far more quickly than if they were on a properly sized rim. The increased traction will also make it harder to steer. From a safety standpoint, plus-sizing really isn't a good idea.

If you really must plus-size, don't go above +1. Beyond that, you're creating needless danger.

7 - A tire with deep tread is NOT necessarily safe

Some people believe that if a tire has deep tread, that's the only thing that matters when evaluating its safety. To be clear, tread is a very important factor in wheel safety, and a tire should be replaced when the tread gets too low.

However, there are other ways a tire can become damaged. Seasonal tires can easily be damaged if run in the wrong season - for example, winter tires can literally melt in summer heat. Also, age is a factor. A tire will slowly become more brittle over time, even if it isn't used often. The exact lifespan of the tire varies between models but, generally speaking, if it's older than 6-8 years it's probably too old to use safely.

Wheel & Tire Superstore

If you're looking the best in custom wheels in Texas, as well as superior repair services, come to the Wheel & Tire Superstore in Cedar Park! For years, we've focused on providing a huge range of wheels and tires, backed up by expert service which ensures you get the best tires for your needs, every time. Contact us to learn more or schedule an appointment!