Why Tire Maintenance Is Essential For Your Safety

Good tire maintenance is necessary for a safe ride. Tires not only support the weight of the car, but they also provide traction, braking force and shock absorption. When tires are old or underinflated, the driver can lose control of the vehicle and get into a severe accident. Because of this, you must constantly check the pressure, thread and balancing of your tires.

TIRE-RELATED ACCIDENTS AND COSTS

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 600 people died in 2019 in tire-related car crashes. Driving with worn or underinflated tires increases the chances of a driver getting into a car crash. Besides, a lack of tire maintenance can make the tires last less and reduce the vehicle’s fuel economy, which would cause you to spend more on fuel or new tires.

3 THINGS TO CHECK BEFORE DRIVING

Lack of tire maintenance can lead to a flat tire, blowout or tread coming off a tire. All of those situations can result in a severe accident, which is why you must ensure your tires are in good condition before each use. You can give maintenance to your tires by checking:

• The tire pressure: affects safety and fuel consumption.
• The tire tread: prevents your car from slipping and sliding, especially on wet or icy surfaces.
• The tire balancing: ensures your wheels rotate properly.

You must also make sure your spare tire has good pressure, tread and balancing. Additionally, you must ensure that your car’s tires are the same size as the original tires.

TIRE PRESSURE AND AGING

Old and underinflated tires are dangerous because they can lead to a blowout or a flat tire. To prevent an accident, you must ensure that all your tires have the same pressure, which should not be too high or too low. As for tire aging, you must consider changing your tires if you’ve had them for six or more years. Also, you must take into account that tires can age faster if they are exposed to sunlight or a warm climate.

PREVENTING AN ACCIDENT

Ensuring your tires are in good condition is essential for your safety.  By checking your tires, you can avoid losing control of your vehicle while driving at high speeds. Inspecting your tires may take some of your time, but checking them is ultimately better than taking the risk of getting into a life-threatening accident.