Every time you get into your car, whether driving to work or traveling across the country, you should ensure your tires are safe and ready to take on the road. Before each trip, it’s crucial to perform the following five critical safety checks to ensure your tires are safe and able to handle whatever you throw at them on the open road.
1. Proper Tire Pressure
Correct tire inflation is one of the most critical safety checks you can make before your next road trip. Underinflated tires create unsafe driving conditions and a reduced ride height. It will also reduce fuel efficiency, increase stopping distance, and lead to premature tire wear. To find out if you have the correct pressure for your vehicle’s tires, check the tire’s sidewalls for an air pressure rating (usually in pounds per square inch or PSI) and compare it to what is recommended by the manufacturer.
A digital pressure gauge is the best way to ensure that your tires are at the proper pressure. However, suppose you need professional tire care and maintenance services. In that case, you can contact tire change toronto experts for quick and easy mobile services on-location and servicing of all makes and models. Proper tire pressure will improve control, handling, stability, and braking distances making your ride safer.
2. Wheel Alignment
Wheel alignment involves the adjustment of wheel angles relative to one another. That ensures that your car’s tires are getting equal wear, which can improve fuel efficiency and tire lifespan. It’s essential to organize for an inspection before any significant trip as wheel misalignment can cause many road issues, such as excessive wear on inner or outer edges, an uneven wearing pattern on a tire’s tread, and toe-in or toe-out condition.
Improving wheel alignment will make your car more stable and handle better while driving. All four wheels should spin freely without wobbling from side-to-side or up-and-down movement when you hold still.
3. Tread Depth/Wear Bars
You can find your tires’ tread depth and wear bars with a quick visual inspection. Tread depth measurement is 32nds of an inch, with the legal limit being 2/32 inch or less. Wear bars show where the tire’s been wearing down over time. It’s crucial to replace any tire that shows signs of wear on the bar or has no visible bar at all.
When the tire surface levels with the wear bars, it’s time to replace them. A worn-out tire is unsafe, and you risk crashing if you continue driving with them. If the car’s handling becomes unpredictable after a small bump, this could be another sign of a worn-out tire.
4. Tire Age/Condition
Checking the age and condition of your tires is a simple way to keep yourself and others safe on the road. When the tread wears down, it’s time for new tires. It’s essential if you look for bulges, cracks, cuts, or signs of dry rot. Avoid driving on any tire with a puncture, no matter how small. Also, always ensure you inflate your tires to the correct pressure as indicated by the vehicle manufacturer.
Underinflated tires can be dangerous because they cannot appropriately handle terrain variations and temperature increases. Keeping them inflated will improve gas mileage and lengthen the life of your tires. Old tires can also surprise you when you least expect it. The rubber dries out and becomes brittle, making it very easy to tear or rip while going over bumps in the road. If this happens, pull over immediately and contact a mobile tire service for replacement before continuing on your trip.
5. Condition of the Rims
Rims should not have any visible damage and should be able to support the car’s weight. The wheel rims are also crucial for proper tire installation, so it’s critical to maintain them properly. The rim’s center should be clean, without any rust or corrosion. You should also ensure there is no evidence of metal filings or exposed wire on the inner lip of the rim. In addition, you should look for any dents or bends in the wheel rim before installing new tires.
Conclusion
Making sure your tires are safe helps you to keep yourself, your family, and other road users safe. Regularly check tire pressure with a good gauge, and replace them when they are bald or worn out. Confirm any visible damage on the tire treads before you head out on the open highway. Bring a small spare tire and a good jack if one goes flat during your trip so you can change it quickly without breaking down! Finally, remember to have a reliable mobile tire change service provider on speed dial who can come to your location if something happens while you’re on the go. Happy motoring!
