It is highly important to follow a regular tire check regime to ensure your car tire safety. It is very important if you are going on a long trip. A flat tire or any other problem in your tire can spoil your enjoyment of your trip. Non-adherence to the regular car tire safety tips can lead to heat build-up in the tires during a long trip which can lead to major inconvenience in the middle of nowhere. Below is a checklist of car tire safety tips before you zoom out for any long drive:
1. Make sure the tires are well inflated
According to the guidelines of the Department of Energy, correctly inflated tires improve fuel efficiency nearly by 3 percent. Further, it makes your journey safe and cost-efficient by reducing gas consumption. Always make a point to check the tire pressure once every month and before going out on a long trip. Check the pressure when the tires are cold. If you do not know the correct tire pressure for your car, refer to the owner’s manual. You can also find it on the gas tank or driver side’s door edge. Make sure that tire pressure is the same across the axles. Remember to close the valve tightly to prevent leaking of dirt and dust.
2. The spare tire is a savior
Do not forget to carry a spare tire. Each month or before any long trip, a correct inspection of the spare tire is very important. You need to know that tires age too if your spare tire is old, replace it with a new one when you have time.
3. Check for tread depth
Your car’s tire should have proper thread depth. It will help in preventing situations like skidding and hydro-planning etc. A good quality tire should have a minimum of 1.6 mm of tread depth. You can check this with a penny; if you see complete Lincoln’s head, then it is time to get a new tire for your car.
4. Always stay in line
Jolts from potholes can break the tire alignment of your car. In such events, immediately get your tires aligned at your dealer’s place. Driving a car with badly aligned tires leads to damage to the tires. Get a tire alignment check periodically and before any long drive.
5. Switch it up
It is always suggested to rotate your car tires every 5,000 to 8,000 miles. It helps in achieving more uniform wear, in addition to extending the tire’s life.
6. Don’t overload the car
In any long trip, avoid overloading your car with excess baggage. Overloading leads to shorter tire life. Further, it also reduces fuel economy by one mpg in every 200lbs of additional weight. To know your car’s maximum load, refer to the owner’s manual.
Before any long trip, replace one or more tires if necessary. It is important for a safe, convenient and tension-free trip.
