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safety check
Tire Information World : your friendly
independent source of tire help
Do-it-yourself
Safety Check
for your tires
 Want to know about safety checks?
Here are 6
simple safety
checks and
safe driving
tips to save
money on tires
Safety
Check #1.
Depth of
tread.
When was the
last time you
measured the
tread on your
tires? There
are legal
requirements
for the amount
of tread on
the tire. Why?
More tread
equals better
grip of the
road, which
equals safer
driving for
you. Tires
that are worn
are not safe
for you or for
other drivers.
Bald or worn
tires lead to
lack of
control when
steering or
braking.
Safety
Check #2.
Check the side
walls.
If there are cuts
or gouges in the
tire walls consider
replacements. It is
possible to repair
small punctures in
the tire walls but
it depends on the
size and location
of the damage.
Often its best to
replace the tire.
Would you want to
risk a sudden
failure at high
speed?
Safety
Check #3.
Check the
tires'
pressure.
Check the
pressure when
the tires are
cold. The
pressure
inside your
tires changes
as you drive.
Although air
inside the
tire expands
as it heats
up,
low pressure
may be more
risky than
slightly
higher
pressure.
It exposes
tires to
greater wear
and they will
need replacing
sooner. Soft
tires use more
fuel, hurting
your pocket.
At the same
time avoid
over-inflating.
Safety
Check #4.
Avoid potholes
and curbs.
Have you
noticed how
many holes
there are in
the roads you
normally
travel? Tires
take all the
impact when
you hit one of
those holes.
There is a
danger of
sudden loss of
air in the
tire leading
to possible
loss of
control and
maybe an
accident. The
same applies
if a wheel
hits the curb.
Watch for
holes in the
road and take
care when
parking.
You will save
money in the
long run.
Safety
Check #5. Are
you balanced?
Does the
steering wheel
vibrate when
you drive?
This may mean
your wheels
need to be
balanced.
Balancing is
essential when
you buy a new
tire.
This may be
included in
your purchase
price or a
separate
charge, but
dont overlook
it.
Unbalanced
wheels impair
steering, and
increase wear
on your
vehicles
suspension
system.
Safety
Check #6.
Loading
weight.
Excessive or
incorrect
loading could
be more than
your tires can
bear. Too much
weight can
cause the tire
to come off
the rim when
cornering,
putting you
and your
passengers at
risk. Don't
put passenger
car tires on
trucks either,
they are not
made to take
the weight, so
its a false
economy, as
you will have
to buy another
set almost
immediately.
Ask your
preferred tire
dealer to
inspect your
tires at least
twice a year.
Likely
therell be no
charge for
this service,
but it doesnt
hurt to ask
first.
Did you know we have a special
place to show-off your favorite wheels?
See the Hot Wheels Show Room
Return to Tire Information World's
home page from safety check.
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