On any car, the tires are vital for safety.
Most drivers, however, do not put much effort into maintaining them.
No matter how safe car companies try to make their vehicles, driving on poorly maintained tires can negate the effectiveness of features such as anti-lock brakes or computer assisted suspensions.
The following tips should help you keep your tires maintained at a safe level.
Under inflated tires reduce fuel efficiency and increase the chances of failure.
Keep a digital gauge in your glove compartment and check your air pressure regularly.
Tires become deflated over time so make a habit of checking once a month and before long drives.
Compare the pressure to the recommended pressure from your car's owner's manual.
Check pressure only after the car has been sitting for a few hours to eliminate inaccuracies caused by tires that are warm from driving.
Remember to check your spare as well.
Check your tire treads and visually inspect your tires for damage.
A quick and simple way to assess your treads is with the so called "penny test.
" Insert a penny upside down between the treads.
If you can see Lincoln's head, it is probably time to replace your tires.
Check for uneven wearing as well.
If you notice that your tires are not wearing evenly, it could be an indication that your car is not properly aligned.
Poor alignment can cause handling and performance problems and also speeds up the demise of your tires.
Get your alignment check if your tires are showing uneven wear patterns.
Check the sidewalls for bulges, cuts or cracks.
Any damage you discover may mean you need new tires.
If you do discover problems such as under inflation, a missing spare, worn out treads, damage, or uneven wear take action to remedy the issue as soon as possible.
Driving on bald or damaged tires puts you at serious risk for a blowout or an accident.
Depending on the problem, you may need a fairly simple and relatively inexpensive maintenance procedure like balancing or your issue may require a full replacement.
No one really enjoys buying a new set of tires and the unexpected expense can be a hassle, but in order to keep your car safe you may have little choice.
Monitor the health of your tires and take action if necessary for the sake of safety.
Your tires are the only point of contact between your car and the road.
As such, it is crucial that you make an effort to ensure that your tires are in proper condition.
For safety purposes, check your tires regularly and immediately address any problems you discover.