Tips for Tire Safety and Maintenance

If the vehicle is being used regularly, it is necessary to maintain the proper condition of the tires. The tires may have some concealed faults which can be a reason for drivers to lose control when driving. Whether you own and drive a high-performance sports car, a family car, light truck, an SUV, or ride a motorcycle, there are some simple safety precautions you can take to make sure the tires are in a good maintained condition.

The entire weight of the vehicle is handled by the tires and the air that is filled in them. Efficient maintenance of tires is an absolutely necessary job, but most people who drive vehicles don't care about this aspect at all. Many drivers have a common misconception that if the tires look good and are inflated sufficiently, they are ready to be taken on the road. But there are very few drivers who actually think about how old their vehicle's tires are. Old tires may be one of the reasons for accidents. The condition of the spare tires also need to be checked. There is a high possibility that such tires deteriorate when they are stored for a long period of time. If these tires are used at high speeds on the highway, the aftereffects can be fatal. Overloading the vehicle can cause the tires to run hotter.

For the tire to be in proper condition, one needs to concentrate on three things - tire inflation, rotation of the tires, and evaluation.

Air Pressure
This is the most crucial factor of tire safety and maintenance. The air pressure needs to be checked in all tires, which also includes the spare one. It should be checked at least once in a month if the vehicle is used regularly. If the inflation is not proper in the tires, it can lead to serious tire problems which may cause irregular wear and tear. Under-inflation also is a reason why tires don't last long. One needs to ensure that he maintains appropriate air pressure in the tires in both the winter and summer seasons, as air has the ability to expand when heated and contract when cooled. If he is doubtful of how much air pressure should be filled in, he may refer the owner's manual or the placard in the inside of the driver's side door. If the tire pressure is over normal, the drive would be bumpy and the vehicle won't have the needed grip on the road, and if it is less than normal, the vehicle would provide lesser mileage than always.

Tire Rotations
If the tires need to have a long tread life, the driver has to rotate the vehicle's tires on different wheels periodically. It is essential due to variations in the wear of every tire in different positions. If the vehicle's engine is in front, the front tires will wear more than the behind ones, because of the weight of the engine. One should rotate tires periodically with some advice from the vehicle manufacturer. Tire rotations may also be carried out with every oil change.

Evaluations: It's a good practice of routinely checking the tire pressure, and signs for tread wear. Tire inspection should be done to check cracks, cuts, or bulges on the sidewalls. One can also examine the tire wear and condition using a penny. Insert the penny in the tread, with Lincoln's head facing upside down, if the top of his head is noticeable, the tread is worn out and the tire needs to be replaced.

Safety experts suggest that if the tire fails while driving, don't apply the brakes immediately. This will just spin the vehicle out of control. Decelerate to a manageable speed and then apply the brake cautiously and stop the vehicle.