Most drivers wash their cars more often than they check their tires. That’s a startling statement when you think of the role tires play in automotive safety. Your tires are unique in that they are the only component of your car that actually contacts the road. When something goes wrong with your tires, it usually challenges you for control of the vehicle.
National Tire Safety Week will be held June 7-13, 2009. The tire companies that sponsor the awareness-raising events know all too well how important their products are to the safe operation of your vehicle.
Pressure. It’s vitally important to have the proper inflation pressure in your tires. The “right amount” of inflation for your tires is specified by the vehicle manufacturer and is shown on the vehicle door edge, doorpost, glovebox or fuel door. It’s also listed in your vehicle owner’s manual. Tire manufacturers recommend you check tire pressure at least once a month and before a long trip. Check the pressure when the tires are cool, meaning they have not been driven even a mile! Tires heat up and the inflation pressure rises as you drive. Use a quality tire gauge to check tire pressure. You can purchase one for less than $5.00.
By the way, a tire can lose as much as 50 percent of its inflation pressure and not appear flat, so merely “eyeballing” the tires is not a proper inspection. Use a gauge.
While you’re checking the tire pressure, give the tires a visual inspection to spot anything imbedded in the tread that could cause a hole and lead to an air leak. Check the sidewalls for gouges, bulges or deep scrapes.
Correct inflation is important. Underinflation is a significant hazard, and overinflation is dangerous as well. It makes the tire more susceptible to damage from road debris and can compromise the handling of your vehicle, especially during emergency maneuvers.
Many vehicles are equipped with tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) that alert drivers to a loss of tire pressure. Federal regulations require TPMS to alert when tires are 25 percent underinflated. For many vehicles, however, this warning may be too late to prevent damage to the tire from underinflation. Therefore, a TPMS is not a replacement for monthly tire pressure checks with a gauge.
Tires filled with nitrogen still need to be checked for proper inflation. Nitrogen may aid in pressure retention, but it offers no protection against loss of pressure due to punctures, damage or a faulty tire valve. Therefore, nitrogen inflation is not a replacement for monthly tire pressure checks with a gauge.
Alignment. We don’t have to tell you that tires are expensive. That’s why alignment is so important. Misalignment of wheels in the front or rear can cause uneven and rapid tread wear. Front-wheel drive vehicles and those with an independent rear suspension require the alignment of all four wheels. Potholes and curbs can cause the wheels to go out of alignment, so get the alignment checked if you have banged your tires in any way. If you experience a “pulling” sensation on the steering wheel, you should get the wheel alignment checked. An unbalanced tire and wheel may also cause irregular wear or vibration.
Rotation. Sometimes irregular tire wear can be corrected by rotating your tires. Your vehicle owner’s manual will indicate the proper tire rotation pattern. If you have observed unusual wear on just one tire, ask us to inspect for suspension damage or an alignment problem before you rotate the tires. If your owner’s manual does not specify a rotation interval, tire manufacturers recommend rotating tires every 5,000 to 8,000 miles.
Tread. Tires must be replaced when the tread is worn down to 2/32 of an inch. Worn tread will reduce traction on slippery surfaces and can contribute to hydroplaning, a hazardous condition that occurs when a layer of water builds between the tires and the road surface, leading to the loss of traction. Hydroplaning can prevent the vehicle from responding to control inputs such as steering, braking and accelerating. Your car becomes, in effect, an unpowered and unsteered sled.
An easy test for adequate remaining tread involves a penny. Insert the penny into a tread groove. If part of Lincoln’s head is covered by the tread, the tire is safe. If you can see all of Lincoln’s head, it’s time to purchase new tires. Tires have built-in wear indicators that look like narrow bars of rubber across the tread that show up when wear reaches 2/32 of an inch. A single new tire can throw off the balance when combined with three worn tires. It’s also best to pair tires of the same model on each axle for optimum traction and handling.
Did you know that ozone in the atmosphere degrades the rubber of your tires? Vehicle safety experts recommend replacing tires every five years, regardless of tire wear.
Remember, your car’s tires contribute to your vehicle’s overall fuel efficiency. Underinflated tires will cause your engine to consume more gasoline simply due to increased rolling resistance. The U.S. Department of Energy advises that tires can account for as much as a 3.3 percent difference in fuel efficiency. It’s just another good reason to check your tires every month using a tire gauge.
