The average car on the road weighs between 3,000 and 4,000 pounds, sitting on four tires. Considering that these two-ton machines fly down roads on four rubber wheels, proper tire maintenance is extremely important and often overlooked. Here are 5 ways to maintain your tires and ensure that you and your family are traveling safely.
Check Your Tire Pressure Regularly
Underinflated tires are one of the biggest causes of tire blowouts. Even though the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) has been required on all cars since 2007, the system doesn’t alert drivers to a change in air pressure until the change is significant. Discount Tires suggests checking air pressure every other time you fill your car up with gas; they even have an instructional video showing how to properly check air pressure with a standard air gauge. If you are uncomfortable or don’t have the time to check the pressure yourself, get a professional to check for you; many tire retailers offer air checks for free.
Check the Tread
The tread on tires provides you car with the ability to grip the road and move. The different depths of the tread also helps wick away water, preventing your car from hydroplaning. It’s important to continually check the tread of your tires, making sure you’re riding on tires that will effectively grip the road. You can use coins to help you check the tread, you can purchase tire tread depth gauges, or simply have them checked by a professional.
Get Your Tires Rotated
It is recommended that you get your tires rotated about every 6 months or every 6,000 miles. Generally, the front tires wear out much faster than the rear tires, due to all of the functions the front tires perform. It is important to rotate your tires so that the tread on each tire wears evenly because evenly worn tires provide you with a smoother ride and more control. Also, tire rotation helps prolong the life of your tires, making your money go further.
Inspect Your Tires
It’s important to regularly check your tires for damage. Here are things to look out for:
If you find a nail or any other reason for concern, drive to a tire retailer or car shop as soon as possible. Unfortunately, you may be required to replace the tire if it can’t be repaired, but it’s a better option than driving around on a tire that’s been compromised and cause an accident.
Check Tire Alignment
If you notice that your vehicle is pulling more to the left or right, or if your steering wheel vibrates when you’re driving, that’s an indicator that you should get your tires aligned. Proper alignment ensures the safety of your vehicle. It also ensures that the tread of the tires are worn evenly; if the car is unaligned, one tire may experience more wear than the others.
If you’ve been injured on the road due to defective tires, contact Colley & Colley law firm in Tyler, Texas for a free consultation. We are dedicated to providing you with the best legal counsel in East Texas.
15511 W Highway 71
Suite 110-142
Austin, TX 78738
(512) 477-2001
512-477-3335
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