How To Care For Your Car Tires

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that every year in the U.S., there are 400 deaths and as many as 10,000 injuries related to tire blowouts and failures.

And despite this alarming increase in accidents caused by improper tire maintenance, many drivers still neglect their tires, which ultimately leads to problems.

You can think of the tires on a car as being somewhat like our feet - they often get neglected for various reasons. And until problems arise or we notice damage, we usually don't pay much attention to them. However, drivers who don't care for their vehicle's tires can find themselves in serious situations, even accidents.

Should your vehicle experience a tire failure when your car is operating at a speed of 40 to 60 miles an hour, it is very likely that you will have an accident that might be quite serious. However, if you pay attention to the condition of your tires and keep them well-maintained, you will go far in preventing such a serious accident. In addition, when your tires are in good condition, your car will perform better.

Blowouts and tire failures can happen for two reasons. Essentially, because your tires are over-inflated or under-inflated. Both of these conditions can cause excessive amounts of heat and stress to affect your tires.

Another major influence on the condition of tires is changing weather and temperatures. During the spring and summer, the warmer temperatures have an impact on the speed of air loss as it escapes your tires. In colder months, tire pressure drops from about one to two pounds; in the summer, the pressure increases.

It's a good idea to check your tire pressure every time you stop at the gas station to fill up your tank. Always check your tire pressure before you go on a long trip; if you don't take lots of excursions, you should check your pressure once a month. Auto repair shops generally have someone on staff who will check a customer's tire pressure for a small fee, in case you want someone else to handle this task.

In the event of a tire blowout, it is essential that you keep your cool and don't slam on the brakes. Unfortunately, most people react by hitting the brakes, which ultimately makes the car slide to one side of the road, and can put you in significant danger. If you find yourself in this situation, hit the brakes slowly and try to regain control of the car. Then steer it to a place off-road, where you can have enough room to change the tire.

The best thing you can do to keep your family safe in your vehicle is to constantly monitor the condition of your tires and get regular tire check-ups.