Pay attention to your tires!
Next week is Tire Safety Week and it is a great time to reflect on why regular tire maintenance is a vital to a safe driving experience and even the role our tires play on fuel efficiency. Here in our auto repair shop, we have seen all too often the dangers of tires that have been neglected to the point that it is only a matter of time before they join the “rubber alligators” lying along the highway. Customers have shown up on tires with secondary tread, where the steel belt cords are protruding out from their tires and with bulging sidewalls; all of which makes a tire ripe for a blowout.
Blowouts are the cause of hundreds of fatal accidents each year, and are one of the most dangerous mishaps on the road. Most blowouts can be avoided however, with simple tire maintenance. There are just a few key but simple steps you can take to ensure your tires are properly maintained and as safe as possible on the roadways.
The first thing motorists should be aware of is tire pressure. Maintaining proper tire pressure will give you the greatest gas mileage and will keep the tire at the proper temperature thus preventing a blowout due to extreme heat. Check your tires while they are still “cold” or wait a minimum of three hours after you have driven. Use a good pressure gage and make sure the measured psi matches the recommend psi located on either the sticker inside the driver’s door or in your owner’s manual.
It is also recommended to check your tires for wear and for any damaged areas at least once a month or before you take off on a long road trip. Doing the penny test is an easy way to ensure your tire has the proper tread and is safe to drive on. Take a penny and hold it with Abe upside down and insert his head into the groove of the tire. If any part of Abe’s head is covered by the tread, you are within the legal and safe limit of the tread. If his entire head is showing that means that the tread is less than 2/32 of an inch and your tires should be replaced. When there isn’t the proper amount of tire tread, your vehicle will not handle as well and its ability to grip the road will be greatly diminished.
In order to extend the life of your tires as well as improve their overall performance, it is recommended to have your tires rotated every six months or about every 6,000 – 8,000 miles. It is also recommended to have them balanced as well when they are rotated. When a wheel is out of balance (meaning one area is heavier or lighter than another), it will cause wobbling or bouncing around which decreases treadwear, increases vibration and can cause undue stress on your vehicle.
The last step in tire maintenance is to ensure proper wheel alignment. If your alignment is off, it can affect your steering capabilities and makes your vehicle unsafe to drive. Everyday driving can cause your tire alignment to shift, especially if you go over rough railroad crossings or hit potholes. If you notice a wear pattern developing on the outer edges of your tires or you notice a difference in your vehicle’s handling you should see a repair shop and have them check your tires alignment.
The tires are the backbone of any vehicle and when they fail, not only are we stranded, but we could be in for some serious trouble as well. Taking your vehicle to a reputable, reliable, established repair facility, where there is a highly-trained, certified, and conscientious technician to service your car will alleviate the risk of potential problems going unnoticed. Avoiding problems before they occur is the best peace of mind you and your family can have.
