As
temperatures reach 90F and above across the United States, drivers
— particularly those planning a road trip — should ensure that
their tires have the correct tire pressure. Hot
temperatures and under-inflated tires are a dangerous combination.
During the summer months, while vehicles are being driven at
highway speeds, the heat and hot roadways contribute to the
breakdown of tires and a greater likelihood for tire failure.
According to statistics from the National Automotive Sampling System (NASS) “about 36 percent of passenger cars and about 40 percent of light trucks had at least one tire that was at least 20 percent below the placard pressure.” That’s a staggering number of vehicles on the road with under-inflated tires.
When a tire is under-inflated, its sidewalls flex more and the air temperature inside the tire rises, increasing stress and the risk of failure. A significantly under-inflated tire loses lateral traction, increases a vehicles stopping distance and makes handling more difficult. It’s important to note that under-inflation also plays a role in crashes due to flat tires and blowouts.
Proper pressure is the most important part of maintaining a vehicle’s tires. Properly maintained tires improve the steering, stopping, traction and load carrying capability of vehicles and can improve gas mileage by 3.3 percent.
To prevent tire failure, NHTSA offers the following safety recommendations:
- Follow the recommended tire pressure in pounds-per-square-inch (PSI) for your vehicle. This information is found on the vehicle placard typically inside the car door and in the vehicle owner’s manual.
- Purchase a tire pressure gauge to keep in your vehicle. Tires lose one PSI every month, so it is important to check your tires monthly to ensure proper inflation.
- If your vehicle is equipped with tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS), know where the TPMS warning is on your dashboard, and take action if you receive a warning.
- Check your vehicle owner’s manual for specific recommendations for tire replacement for your vehicle. Some vehicle manufacturers recommend six years, some tire manufacturers recommend 10 years as the maximum service life for tires, including spares.
- Monitor the tread on all tires on your vehicle. Tires with tread worn down to 2/32 of an inch or less are not safe and should be replaced.
- Look for treadwear indicators – raised sections spaced throughout the bottom of the tread grooves. When they appear it is time to replace your tires.
- Try the penny test. Place a penny in the tread of your tires with Lincoln’s head upside down and facing you. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, your tire has less than 2/32 of an inches of tread and you are ready for new tires.
- Remember that seat belts are your best defense in a crash.
Please drive safe this summer season – and as always, if you have any questions regarding tires, safety or maintenance, please contact the nearest Dunn Tire store.