Will you be ready for when the rubber meets road this summer? The summer heat can be hard on tires. Regular tire inspections are a crucial part of your vehicle maintenance routine. Poor alignment, improper tire pressure, uneven wear or damages, and heat can all lead to dangerous driving conditions that could make your summer road trip less enjoyable.
“Unfortunately, 83 percent of motorists aren’t aware of how under- or over-inflated tires affect a vehicle’s steering and breaking control as well as fuel economy,”Discount Tire’s Mark Ballard, the largest tire retailer in the world, explained. tire and wheel retailer. “In addition, regularly checking your tires for uneven or worn tread and bald spots, as well as replacing all four tires instead of one or two at a time, will help avoid hazards like blowouts and keep you on track to your destination.”
According to the Rubber Manufacturers’ Association (RMA), flat tires are responsible for over 23,000 tow-away collisions.
Here are five top tips to make sure your tires stay safe.
1. Make sure you are getting the pressure right RMA’s Tire Care Awareness Survey 2011 found that 62 per cent of drivers don’t know how to determine the correct vehicle’s inflation pressure. The vehicle placard, located on the driver’s side doorpost, glovebox door, fuel door or owner’s manual, will give you the specific number. Check your tires at room temperature to ensure the correct pressure. Don’t forget the spare. A properly inflated tire can save you nine cents per gallons at the pump, and will improve your vehicle’s fuel efficiency by 3.3 percentage.
2. Do not overload your vehicle. Fuel economy is affected by increased wind drag and heavier cargo. Also, handling, control, and braking can be negatively affected.
3. Rotate before you go. Regular rotation improves road performance and uniform tire wear. Rotating tires every 6,000-8,000 miles can prolong the tire’s life and maximize the value of your tire investment. A tire inspection is a smart thing to do before you start to rotate.
4. Straighten Up. Proper tire alignment gives you safe and predictable vehicle handling. You also get a smooth ride that’s comfortable, smooth, and free from vibrations or pulling. Proper alignment ensures that tires last longer by ensuring they wear evenly.
5. Bald is not beautiful. RMA also found that 52 per cent of drivers don’t know how to tell their tires are bald. Tires with a lack tread can cause problems when they are unable to grip wet roads. Tires that have uneven wear, high- or low-quality areas, or areas that are unusually smooth can increase the likelihood of road accidents.
Visit this site for more information about tire safety and maintenance. www.tires.com.
