If you’re heading out on a road trip soon, it’s vital that you do a thorough tire check beforehand to boost your safety as well as your fuel economy. The following tire check tips should be done monthly, but also right before you take a road trip in the car. You don’t want to experience a flat tire while away from home, or worse, a blowout while on the highway. Be safe and heed these tips.
1. Check Tire Pressure
Air pressure is critically important in the life of your tires. Ensuring proper pressure levels will extend your tire’s service life span as well as keep you safe on the road. It’s a fact that tires lose pressure over time. Under-inflation makes the tire flex more and build up heat that can result in tire failure. Underinflated tires can wear out faster and be less fuel-efficient.
Inflate your tires to the correct pressure, which is usually written on a sticker on the driver’s side door jamb. It’s best to check pressure when the tires are cold, so wait till your car has been parked for a few hours. Don’t forget to check the spare tire pressure too! Don’t wait for a light to come on your dashboard – by the time you get an alert from your car’s tire-pressure monitoring system, the situation has become urgent and you may have already lost 25 percent.
2. Check Tread Depth
You’ll need a quarter for this experiment. Put the quarter upside down in one of the grooves. If you’re able to view all of Washington’s head, you need new tires.
3. Inspect Sidewalls
Your wheels may have hit potholes, curbs, and other objects, leaving bulges and cuts in your tires. This is a sign you need to get your tire replaced.
4. Think About Age
Check the date code for when each tire was made. On the lower sidewall, look for “DOT” followed by a bunch of numbers, the last four of which will tell you the year of manufacture. It’s recommended that you replace tires after six years of use. Once the 10-year mark hits, you should replace the tires no matter what the wear looks like.
If you’re unsure whether your tires are in road-worthy condition, consult with a tire specialist for safety. Before heading out on a road trip this summer, call us for a tire inspection, change or repair for your peace of mind.
Contact I&I Tires
If you’re heading out on a road trip and want to be safe with new tires, contact us in Atlanta at 678-284-2006 or Smyrna at 404-920-0278 to schedule an appointment.