Proper Tires Can Save Your Life
Tires can have a huge impact on how efficiently a vehicle runs and how safe a driver is while driving. Unfortunately, according to experts, tires are one of the most overlooked parts of a vehicle’s safety system. As a driver or someone who owns a car, you need to keep in mind that tires do more than just provide a way to keep a vehicle mobile. For example, tires can also affect vehicle handling and stopping distance.
Unfortunately, poor tires are a cause of many accidents. Poor tires have led to the death of many people and left many injured. According to the NHTSA, close to 11,000 tire-related motor vehicle accidents happen every year, and over 600 people die in those accidents. To lower the chances of you being involved in a tire-related accident, it is best that you properly maintain your tires.
You might be wondering what you should check to ensure proper tire care and safety. Worry no more. Below are four crucial things that experts recommend you check.
Pressure
The key to keeping your tires in good condition is proper pressure. Therefore, make sure your tires are always properly inflated. Both underinflation and overinflation can cause problems. For example, if a tire is underinflated, too much of its surface area touches the road or ground. This can lead to increased friction and then overheating. Overheating can then result in premature wear and even blowouts.
Please note that you need to ensure the tires are cool when checking a tire’s pressure. This means that you should avoid checking a tire’s pressure after driving your vehicle.
Tread
The tread of a tire is the rubber on its circumference that makes contact with the road or ground. The more a tire is in use, the more its tread is worn off, affecting the tire’s effectiveness. Advanced wear reduces the ability of the tread to grip the road or ground, especially in adverse conditions. To ensure proper tire care and your safety, you need to measure tread depth as part of your regular car maintenance.
Alignment
It is crucial that you check the alignment of your wheels regularly. Misalignment of wheels can cause a number of issues. Common signs that your wheels are not properly aligned and may need to be realigned by a professional include irregular wear and your vehicle veering off to the side.
Rotation
Another crucial thing you need to check is whether you need to rotate your tires. When you routinely rotate your tires, you ensure that wear is spread evenly across all tires, thus extending your tires’ life. It is recommendable that you rotate your tires after approximately 5,000 miles. However, if your vehicle owner’s manual has a specific recommendation, you should stick to it.
Contact Us for Legal Help
If you get injured because of another driver’s negligence, even after doing everything you can to keep safe on the road, do not hesitate to contact one of our Miami personal injury attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm. Our experienced legal team can help you recover the compensation you deserve.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Tampa, Jacksonville, Bradenton, Daytona Beach, Ocala, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, and West Palm Beach areas.
Resource:
nhtsa.gov/es/tires/safety-and-savings-ride-your-tires
