This week is National
Tire Safety Week – which is a good time to remind
motorists to check their tires for proper inflation, wear, or
damage before heading out on the roads. Routine tire care and
safety is simple and easy. The Rubber Manufacturers
Association (RMA) recommends getting in the habit of
taking five minutes every month to check your tires, including the spare.
Here are some friendly tips and reminders to maintain safe tires:
Pressure – Underinflation is a tire’s #1
enemy
It’s important to have the proper air pressure in your tires, as
underinflation may lead to tire failure. It results in unnecessary
tire stress, irregular wear, loss of control and accidents. A tire
can lose up to half of its air pressure and not appear to be flat!
The right amount of air for your tires is specified by the vehicle
manufacturer and is shown on the vehicle door edge, door post,
glove box door or fuel door. It is also listed in the owner’s
manual.
Alignment – Is your vehicle pulling to one side, or
shaking?
A bad jolt from hitting a curb or pothole can throw your front end
out of alignment and damage your tires. Misalignment of wheels in
the front or rear can cause uneven and rapid treadwear and should
be corrected by a tire dealer. Front-wheel-drive vehicles, and
those with independent rear suspension, require alignment of all
four wheels. Have your alignment checked periodically as specified
by the vehicles’ owners manual or whenever you have an indication
of trouble such as “pulling” or vibration.
Rotation – Promotes uniform tire wear
Regularly rotating your vehicle’s tires will help you achieve more
uniform wear. Unless your vehicle owner’s manual has a specific
recommendation, the guideline for tire rotation is approximately
every 5,000 miles. Consult your vehicle’s owners manual, the tire
manufacturer or your tire dealer for the appropriate rotation
pattern for your vehicle.
Tread – Measure it and inspect it
Advanced and unusual wear can reduce the ability of tread to grip
the road in adverse conditions. Visually check your tires for
uneven wear, looking for high and low areas or unusually smooth
areas. Also check for signs of damage. Tires must be replaced when
the tread is worn down to 2/32 of an inch in order to prevent
skidding and hydroplaning. An easy test: place a penny into a tread
groove. If part of Lincoln’s head is covered by the tread, you’re
driving with the proper amount of tread. If you can see all of his
head, you should buy a new tire.
If you think you may have a tire problem or are unsure of the condition of your tires, please stop by any of the convenient Dunn Tire locations for assistance.