| Tires are the only thing that connects us to the road | | | | tire store. Have your tire condition checked and have |
| and if they are improperly inflated or have unsafe | | | | your tires replaced as necessary as your driving |
| irregularities they can greatly effect our driving safety. | | | | safety may be compromised by worn tires or another |
| Most people just assume their tires are fine because | | | | serious tire condition (Walmart's tire service stations will |
| they look okay. Rarely do we ever see someone get | | | | check your tires for free). |
| out a tire pressure gauge and check their tire pressure | | | | To properly check your tires pressure you must use a |
| or place their hands on the tire and feel for roundness | | | | tire pressure gauge. Going by touch isn't good enough. |
| and irregularities in tire condition. Tire pressure and | | | | Just because the tire doesn't look flat doesn't mean it |
| condition is one of the most overlooked safety | | | | isn't improperly inflated. Your car or trucks owners |
| aspects on our cars. Most people just assume their | | | | manual and tire manuals in your glove box will tell you |
| tires are fine and that they will be safe because they | | | | the recommended tire pressure for your tires. Check |
| look fine - the tires are not flat and the car runs. Rarely | | | | all four tires and your spare. Remember your spare if it |
| do we ever see someone get out of their car and | | | | is a doughnut or half sized spare may have different |
| check their tire pressure or place their hands on the | | | | pressure requirements (see your owners manual). You |
| tire and feel for problems with their tire condition. What | | | | wouldn't believe the number of people that assume |
| most people don't know is that proper tire pressure will | | | | their spare is fine and haven't checked it in several |
| improve your gas mileage, make your brakes and | | | | years. Some don't even know if they have a spare or |
| suspension system last longer, and it will improve your | | | | tire changing tools like the jack and lug wrench. Some |
| gas mileage. It will also make you safer. According to | | | | people don't even know where to look for their spare |
| AAA, it is best to have your tires pressure and | | | | tire or how to even change a tire. |
| condition checked for driving safety every time you fill | | | | Most tire pressure gauges have an indicator that will |
| up your gas tank and prior to any long drives or | | | | be raised by the amount of pressure in your tire. More |
| vacations. | | | | expensive ones are digital. Both are rudimentary and |
| Before checking your tire pressure you should check | | | | easy to use and can easily and cheaply be obtained |
| your tires condition. Your tires are what holds you to | | | | at gas stations and car parts stores. If you find you |
| the road and if there are any problematic wear | | | | are under inflated most gas stations have an on site |
| patterns, bubbles and cracks, etc your driving safety | | | | air pump. Fill and check again to ensure proper |
| can and will be greatly compromised. Look over all | | | | pressure. Do not go by the air pumps gauge if it has |
| your tires and your spare. Place the palm of your hand | | | | one. It has been abused and is probably incorrect. |
| on the tire and feel it is it round? This may sound | | | | Always replace the caps on your tire stems when you |
| obvious, but you can quickly find early signs of cupping | | | | are done. This keeps the elements out and corrosion |
| (which can indicate bad struts), irregular wear (could be | | | | can and does cause leaks. If you have too much |
| improperly balanced wheels), cracks, and deep wear | | | | pressure then let some out by pressing a key or |
| that would make your tires unsafe. | | | | screwdriver into the release valve and then check it |
| Take out a penny and make sure President Lincolns | | | | again. If your tires have too much pressure it can |
| head is covered by the tread. If it isn't that means you | | | | cause them to prematurely wear in the middle and |
| need to replace your tires as they are worn too low. | | | | reduce the actual surface area of the tire that meets |
| Every time I go to the local grocery store half of the | | | | the road and can reduce your driving safety. |
| cars I see have bald or nearly bald tires and tires in | | | | There you have it, how to properly check your tires |
| bad condition and replacement. This can cause | | | | condition and pressure for increased driving safety. By |
| hydroplaning and very unsafe driving conditions if the | | | | having safe tires you are increasing both your driving |
| roads were wet from a recent rain. If you notice | | | | safety and the driving safety of those around you. |
| anything irregular take your car to a service station or | | | | |