June is National Tire Safety Month. A tire blowout can cause you to wreck, and in some vehicles it leads to rollover accidents. Even without an accident, a flat tire is not something you want to deal with and can cause problems ranging from an inconvenience to stranding you in a dangerous situation. Please, take a moment to read these tire safety tips.
- Check your tire pressure once a month and before a long trip. Don’t forget to check the spare. Underinflated tires can fail, and overinflated tires can cause poor handling. Check your tires when they are cool. Driving heats them up and will give you an inaccurate reading.
- Check your tread depth. Using a Lincoln penny, insert the penny head first into the tread. If the tread does not cover any of the head, it is time for new tires.
- Check the tread for foreign objects, uneven wear, cracks, and other signs of damage.
- Check your sidewalls for bulges, cuts, slices, gouges, and any other damage.
- Have your tires rotated regularly, about every 5,000 to 8,000 miles.
- Have your tires balanced regularly, too.
- Do not overload your vehicle. Check your owner’s manual for the maximum recommended load.
- Do not run over curbs or slide along curbs when parking and turning.
- If you cannot avoid potholes, slow down going over them.
- Make sure you are not missing any valve stem caps.
- Check the age of your spare tire. Tires degrade over time even when they are not in use. If your spare is more than five years old have it checked out and consider replacing it.
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