Tires are the only part of your vehicle that comes in direct contact with the roadways. This makes it pretty important to your safety because we all know our roads could use a little work. Tires also play a crucial role in maintaining stability & providing adequate traction. Today we will delve into how you can maintain your tires & your safety on our roads, so grab some coffee & let's talk tires!
To start this off you must first understand that tires are necessary to your vehicle's suspension system. Tires help to absorb shocks & vibrations that are encountered during your travels. Properly inflated & maintained tires minimize the jarring impact of those potholes & bumps we all know so well. With proper care, tires will last longer, help keep your car stable, & increase fuel efficiency.
Regular inspections which are generally about once a month, should be performed to assess tire condition. Checking for wear & damage such as worn tread, cuts, or abrasions of the sidewall, bulging, & cracking. As well as checking for those visual issues, it is important to check your tire inflation. Most people don't realize that overinflation of tires can be just as bad for your tires as underinflation.
Most cars of today come with a TPMS, Tire Pressure Monitoring System. This system measures your tire pressure continuously & is a great tool for every car owner. You must make sure that the tires on your vehicle are what size is recommended for your vehicle. To do this, locate the Tire & Loading tag on the inside of your driver's door jam. This small tag should have the tire size & tire pressure for your front, rear, & spare tires. When checking your tire pressure, it is important to check them when they are cool. The air in your tire will fluctuate slightly with the temperature outside. When it is cold you can lose up to 4 psi in your tires. When it is hot & you are driving on those "melt your face off" roads; the tire pressure will gain up to 5 psi of air. (PSI is pounds per square inch) So do not check your tire right after driving on super-hot days. Let them cool before you check your tires.
Checking your tires for wear, cuts, abrasions, & bulging is also an easy thing to do. To check the tread of your tire you can run your hand lightly & slowly over your tread, just be very careful of sharp objects. You are feeling for the overall level of your tires to be even with no spots that are worn down further than others. You are also checking for objects protruding out of your tire, nails, glass, or wires.
When checking the tread of your tires you will have to get eye level with your tire & requires one tool, a penny. Place your penny into the tread of your tire with the head side facing you & head pointed toward the tire. As the picture below shows, if your tread does not cover Lincoln's head then it is time to replace those tires. If the tread only covers up his hair & forehead, then you should replace them soon. Anything from his eyes down means you are good to roll! Check your tire in several spots around the tire to check to be sure you have no worn spots.
Remember to check your tread & sidewalls for any cuts, cracking, bulges, or objects. If you find anything irregular, then please take your car to a service center. Better to be safe than have a blowout on the freeway. I have included pictures of common issues found in tires below.
The frequency with which you should be checking your tires really depends on several factors like driving habits, & seasonal temperatures. You should check them before long road trips, and during extreme temperature conditions like summer heat & winter freezes. You do not want to be stranded on these 104-degree days here in Texas or one of those 30-degree days either! As a general rule of thumb though, you should be checking your tires monthly.
By properly maintaining your tires you are ensuring optimal performance & safety. Conducting regular checks, monitoring tire pressure, & inspecting for wear can prolong the lifespan of your tires. Ultimately, prioritizing vehicle maintenance of your vehicle undoubtedly contributes to a safer drive, but it can also save you thousands of dollars in the long run of your vehicle.
Stay safe out there friends,
Next Blog: All you need to know about the most common dash lights.
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