You don’t have to wait for rain-slick pavement before you check your tires. Poor tire maintenance and wet weather can lead to accidents more often than usual.

Proper tire and pressure maintenanceRoad accidents can be prevented, but drivers should be aware that there are warning signs and maintenance to make sure they drive safely. A tire that is too low might cause an accident. “look”Flat to the eye. Tires can lose as much as 50% of their air before they start to show visual signs. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that tire pressure can affect the way rubber meets the road. This can have an impact on traction, handling and stability as well as braking. NHTSA estimates that the cause of nearly 250,000 U.S.-related accidents per year is low tire pressure.

These statistics are a reminder to drivers just how quickly collisions can happen in situations that could have been avoided. Schrader is a global manufacturer for sensing and valve solutions that protect, perform and maintain road safety.

* Check your tire pressure regularly, especially before any long trips. Temperature affects how much the tire pressure changes. The temperature drops by about 1 psi per 10 degrees F. Tire pressure decreases approximately 1 psi. Tires can also lose up to 1.5 psi each month due to natural air loss. Check your tires when the car’s off, and when it is cool.

* Heed the TPMS warning symbol. From 2008, all passenger cars and light trucks sold in America have a Tire Pressure Monitoring System. The TPMS warning light on your dashboard indicates that one or more tires are 25 percent or greater underinflated. This is a sign of a serious loss in pressure. Pay attention to the TPMS warning sign and be cautious.

* Find a safe place to pull out of traffic to stop and check your tires. You can use a tire gauge to compare the tire pressure with the manufacturer’s recommended pressure. Check the pressure of your tires and take them to the nearest service station. You can find the recommended pressure level on the tire placard located inside the driver’s door.

* Don’t forget the spare. Always check your spare before long drives for punctures or injuries.

Please visit this page for more information about how TPMS protects drivers. www.TPMSMadeSimple.com.