Did you ever think about how much you know about your car tires’ safety? Are you doing enough to maintain them well? The kind of maintenance you extend towards your car tires has a direct impact on the performance of the vehicle and your safety. So, here, we have come up with a car tire safety checklist that will help you maintain your tires well and better prevent the possibility of accidents.
- Check the air pressure in the tire
To reduce the fuel consumption and to extend the longevity of the tires of your vehicle, you need to keep a regular check on the air pressure. For this, you can invest in a good pressure gauge. If that is not an option for you, you can head to a local retailer of tires, and he’ll check the air pressure of your tire, possibly at no cost. Always ensure that you do not check just one but rather all the tires even if they all look the same. Furthermore, if even one tire needs air, you should rush to the nearest gas station without delaying the task. Please keep in mind to examine the air pressure of tires cold when the car has been idle for a minimum of three hours or has been driven not more than 1 mile. It is so because the air pressure might have built up as a result of the heat.
- Examine the tread depth of the tire
The second important tip in your car tire safety checklist is the proper evaluation of the tread depth. You need to ensure that there is requisite traction for a firm grip while on the road. Tread depth should be examined at least once a month. You can determine this via the penny test or visit a mechanic.
- Check wheel alignment and tire balancing
Many drivers ignore the wheel alignment and tire balancing, which has a severe impact on the health of the tires. With wheel alignment, you ensure that the tire is traveling in one straight line. It is important because if the wheel alignment is not right, it can result in excessive wear-and-tear of the tire. It can also lead to drifting or pulling. When you keep a check on the wheel alignment, you certainly improve the life of the tires. It also is a necessary element to ensure the driver’s safety. Proper balancing is important to give you a smooth and comfortable ride as it reduces the vibrations that you experience while driving. To ensure the same, it is important to get the new tires installed only by a trained technician.
- Replace the spare tire when required
Just because you aren’t using the spare tire or haven’t used it in a while doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t replace it. With time, it will age and will need to be replaced. Air quality, as well as the temperature, have a deteriorating impact on the age of the tire. Moreover, after a period, there might be a development of pores on the tire, causing it to lose its elasticity. So, replace the spare tires periodically to be on the safe side.
