It has been said that the two most important parts of your car are the tires and brakes. A malfunction of either one can cause injury or death. In fact, in a study conducted by the Department of Transportation, drivers face the possibility of getting hurt or even perishing in an accident when operating a vehicle with unsafe, bald tires. In another study by the National Highway Traffiic Safety Administration, it showed that 9 per cent of passenger vehicles on U.S. roadways all have one bald tire. The situation is exacerbated by gas stations that do not have air pumps or accurate tire pressure gauges. This study concluded that 14 percent of gas stations do not have air pumps and that their pumps malfunction. Many drivers get around this problem by buying their own pressure gauges.
In response to this, in July 2001 the NHSTA suggested new federal laws that would necessitate the installation of tire pressure checking and warning technologies in new passenger cars and light trucks. Tire industry experts declare that improper inflation is the main culprit behind premature tread loss and unexpected tire failure.
As tires are what connect the car to the road, it is wise to practice tire safety in order to avoid accidents. Always keep a spare on hand in case of a flat or a blow out. Remember, check your tire pressure routinely, about once a month. Tires commonly lose air in time. Purchase a digital tire gauge and check their pressure before going on a long trip. Blow outs can occur due to defective tires and faulty air pressure. Proper inflation pressures can be located in your owner’s manual or on the car sticker by the side of the door. It is important to know when to take a pressure reading. Make sure the tires are cold and the car has not been running. Friction heats up the tires and raises the pressure which can give an inaccurate reading. In addition, be aware that tires that are under inflated raises fuel consumption. It also creates more heat which can cause tires to fail.
When it comes to your spare, devote the same car you would a regular tire. You never know when you will need it. A spare can prevent exorbitant towing fees when your regular tire fails.
Next, is the subject of tire tread. A common test is to place the edge of a penny upside-down into the tread’s grooves. If you are able to see all of Lincoln’s head, you are ready for new tires. Avoid buying a single tire. Theoretically, you should replace all four tires at the same time if you can afford to. If you cannot, you should buy them in axle pairs—the front at one time and the rear at another. Another practice that motorists embrace is rotating your tires every 5,000 to 7,000 miles. This is not a myth. It ensures that all tires wear at the same pace.
Another thing to remember when checking tire pressure is to check for even wear. Check both the outside and inside edges. If the wear is uneven, it indicates your tires are out of alignment. Keeping your tire alignment straight ensures even wear on your tires which results in better handling of the car in general.
Make sure your tires are balanced, too. Otherwise, your car will develop a shimmy. You should balance your tires when you get a tire rotation or buy new tires.
Remember, following the above tips are vital to your safety and the well-being of the car. Sometimes, however, we get into accidents even when our cars are in tip-top shape. Whether it is your fault or the other guy’s, you may get hurt in an accident. We at Ledger and Associates specialize in car accident victims. Take advantage of our free consultations, and call 1-800-300-0001 so we can help you.
