How Safe Are Your Tires?
As long as your tires have air in them, they're good, right? Not necessarily so. It's not only important to have air in your tires, you should also make sure you have the right amount of air pressure in them and that you have your tires regularly inspected and maintained to extend their life and lower your risk of being involved in an accident caused by tire failure.
A flat tire is most certainly an inconvenience and one of the quickest ways to wind up on the side of the road. That being said, you also want to make sure your tires aren't overinflated. If they are, you run the risk of prematurely wearing down your tire's center tread. What's more, over-inflated tires can lead to tire stress and the possibility that you'll have a blowout.
It's important to monitor the tire tread on all four tires. Signs that your tread is taking a beating include raised sections at the bottom of your tread grooves or uneven wear. To see how your tread is, you can take a penny and slide it between the tread with Lincoln's head upside down. If you can see the top of Lincoln's head, you'll want to invest in some new tires soon. Uneven tire wear is an indication that a wheel alignment is necessary. A tire rotation is also recommended to allow all four tires to wear evenly.
Drivers of semi-trucks should be especially diligent when it comes to checking their tires, mainly because a blowout can lead to severe accidents with regular vehicle motorists who drive smaller cars with less protection in collisions. Semi-truck drivers should check their tires when driving on long stretches of hot lonely highway, such as in Texas, where a truck accident lawyer in Dallas reports that accidents caused by truck tire blowouts are common.
Depending on where you live, it might be worth it for you to consider investing in seasonal tires. Winter tires are an especially good idea if you live in an area that receives a significant amount of rain or snow. Winter tires are made with small slits and deep grooves designed to give them a better grip on slippery roads. Special tires can go a long way in preventing accidents.
Tires should be inspected as often as you drive your car. A quick walk around the car to check for tire damage, especially on the sidewalls and leaking air, can help prevent a catastrophic incident from happening while on the road.