Tire Safety Tips

Tire Safety Tips Especially for Summer

• Checking tire inflation, tread wear, and wheel alignment are some of the items we need to be consistent before we take any extended trips.
• Ensuring all parts of your vehicle are in optimal condition should be the first step to planning any summer trip. While we may think first about brakes and air conditioning, tire maintenance cannot be overlooked. They provide essential traction during summer rainstorms and an under- or overinflated tire can pose a serious safety hazard.
• According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, more than 1,900 crashes on Pennsylvania roads last year involved a tire failure and resulted in 34 fatalities.
• The Rubber Manufacturers Association, or RMA reminds motorists about the four primary aspects of tire safety. They use the acronym PART- pressure, alignment, rotation and tread.
• Correct tire pressure is important, especially during summer months when warm temperatures can cause inflation pressure to rise. This may lead to a blowout if the tire is in poor condition. Heat is a real killer of tires. Have you ever observed the shoulders of I-40 between Needles and Barstow, or I-10 from Phoenix to Palm Springs?. The roadways are literally littered with tire casings and pieces. When tires are neglected, they build pressure and heat which cause failure. Proper inflation also improves fuel efficiency. It is best to check tire inflation when the vehicle's tires are cool and not hot from driving. In addition to checking the pressure, visually inspect the tires to make sure there are no nails or other objects that could puncture the tire.
• Alignment is easier to judge since a vehicle will often pull to one side when the wheels are misaligned. Alignment should be corrected by a licensed technician since misalignment can cause uneven or premature wear of the tires.
• Regularly rotating tires according to your vehicle owner's manual also improves safety. A good rule of thumb is to have your tires rotated every 5,000 to 8,000 miles.
• Finally, you should monitor the wear of your tires to ensure good traction. To quickly check the tire tread, insert a penny in the tread groove with Lincoln's head upside down-if you can see the entire head, your tires are worn and should be replaced.