If your tires aren’t in the best shape, driving your vehicle can be dangerous. Keeping an eye on your tire treads and overall condition is critical for ensuring a more efficient, comfortable and safer ride. 

Here are a few tips you should follow:  

Tire Pressure

The leading cause of tire-related crashes is under-inflated tires. They compromise the handling and gas mileage of the vehicle and can lead to tread wear and a catastrophic blowout. 

Tires tend to lose about one pound per square inch of air (PSI) per month—and even more during the winter months. Don’t assume your mechanic is checking tire pressure when you take your truck or car in for an oil change or tire rotation. 

Check them yourself once a month! 

You can also extend the life of your tires by checking the tire pressure regularly. Be sure to check your owner’s manual or the placard on your car’s door frame for your car’s appropriate tire pressure. 

Tire Inspection

It’s important to inspect your tires regularly, especially before long road trips. Try to make it part of the routine of checking your tire pressure or washing your car. The best approach is to get down on your hands and knees and look for cracks, bulges and objects that may have punctured the tire, such as stones, nails, screws or glass. If one of your tires has been punctured, it should be replaced.

Before every long road trip, always check your tire pressure and inspect your tires. It’s better to do this in a safe place, like your garage or driveway, rather than on the side of a busy highway. 

Rotate 

To maintain even tread wear and to optimize the life of your tires, rotate your tires every 6,000 to 8,000 miles. 

Monitor Weight

It’s important to avoid overloading your vehicle. You’ll find information about how much weight your truck or car can handle safely on the placard inside the driver door frame. Overloading can cause tire failure and can impact the way the vehicle handles on the road. 

Replace

Don’t wait too long to replace your tires because you simply want to avoid the cost. Nobody likes to buy new tires but driving on bald or damaged tires puts you and your family in danger. 

Take a look: if the tire tread depth is at or below the wear bar between the tire treads, replace them. Another fool-proof trick is to put a penny between the tread. If you can see the top of Abraham Lincoln’s head, it’s time for new tires.

Avoid Mismatched Tires

Let’s say a nail or piece of glass punctures one of your tires. Don’t replace it with a new one while leaving the other, more worn tires on the vehicle. Mismatched tires can negatively impact the handling of your car and cause unusual wear and tear on the rest of the tires, as well as other components of your car. 

A good rule to follow is to always buy at least two new tires and put them on the rear of the car no matter what type of vehicle it is. Putting them on the back helps the vehicle handle better on wet roads and can prevent a spin-out. 

Remember: Being vigilant about tire wear-and-tear prevention will help keep you on the right road!

Power Trucks USA is a one-stop-shop for all your tire needs. Give us a call today at (540) 349-0339.

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