Tire Safety Tips to Reduce Likelihood of a Collision

 Posted on January 10, 2019 in Car Accidents

Automobiles are a great convenience for getting from one place to another, but many people do not pay attention to them as much as they should. There are many important aspects of making sure your vehicle is as safe as possible, and tires are one of them. Improper care of tires can cause severe injury or death, so it is important to check on your tires along with the other components of your vehicle to make sure they are running at peak efficiency and performance.

Inflation Tips

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, only 19% of people properly inflate their tires. Having tires inflated to the proper pounds per square inch (PSI) can improve fuel economy by as much as 11 cents per gallon. Proper tire inflation helps your tires last much longer.

Checking your tire pressure with a gauge once a month before the car has been driven will let you know what your tire PSI. Some vehicles have different PSI needed for them to be properly inflated, but you can find your vehicles PSI requirements on the driver’s side doorjamb, the rear edge of the driver’s door or on an inward-facing surface next to the driver’s seating position. Make sure to keep a tire pressure gauge in your vehicle and periodically check the pressure at least once a month.

Tread and Grip

The tread on your vehicle’s tires is what provides the traction and grip with the road and prevents your vehicle from sliding all over the place. Once the tread wears down from repeated use, it can become unsafe and lead to blowouts or accidents. When you check your tire pressure once a month you can also check the tire tread on your vehicle. A helpful tip for determining when your tread is too low is to stick a penny in the tread with Lincoln’s head upside down towards you. The tread is too low if you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, which means it is time to get new tires.

Contact a Supportive DuPage County Automobile Accident Attorney

These are just a few of the tips you need to prevent accidents due to tire problems. If a tire blowout or tire negligence has caused an auto accident you were involved in, it may be a good idea to contact a knowledgeable Wheaton personal injury lawyer to assist you with pursuing damages. The lawyers at The Law Offices of David W. Clark, P.C. will work with you to seek the damages you are owed. Call us today at 630-665-5678 for a free consultation.

Source:

https://www.nhtsa.gov/equipment/tires