The
tires are the only thing between the vehicle and the road. When they
are properly inflated and in good condition, the handling, stability
and safety of the vehicle will be maximized. Conversely, when the
tires are under inflated, worn out or damaged, all of the safety
systems on the vehicle cannot overcome the loss of control that comes
with a blow-out or hydroplaning situation. Air pressure in a tire is
like oil in an engine; when it is low, the resulting internal damage
is unseen until it is too late. Tires naturally lose 1-2 psi per
month, so ongoing neglect will eventually result in a tire that
cannot support the weight of the vehicle and the occupants. When this
happens, the resulting blow-out can result in the loss of control and
an accident.
It’s
also important to rotate the tires on the vehicle every 5-7,000
miles. Today’s front-wheel-drive vehicles cause the steer tires to
wear at a much faster rate than the tires on the rear axle. By
periodically rotating the front tires to the back and the back tires
to the front, motorists can achieve even treadwear on all four tires
and increase the mileage and performance. Failing to rotate the tires
often results in the front tires wearing out faster while the rear
tires develop irregular treadwear patterns that cause vibrations. The
same can be said for alignments. When the vehicle is not properly
aligned, the tires will wear out faster which leads to increased
operating costs.
Finally,
drivers should perform a visual inspection of their tires on a
regular basis, especially after hitting a pothole, curb or any type
of road debris. Bulges, cuts and other visible damage weaken the
internal components of the tire, which can lead to a blow-out.
Regular visual inspections will often identify any potential problems
before they result in an accident. It’s also a good idea to have
the tires inspected by a professional before any long road trips to
ensure there are no obvious out-of-service conditions that must be
addressed.