Tire Safety Tips & Important Facts

Have you ever thought about the importance of your tires?

They are the only contact between your vehicle and the road. Tires are often neglected, underinflation is the main cause of tire failure and accidents. The majority of motorists wash their vehicle more than they check tire pressures. Underinflated tires can increase fuel costs as much as 5 cents per gallon.

Tire Safety Tips
Tire pressures should be maintained according to the tire placard on your drivers door post or noted in your owner's manual.You will also find the tire specifications recommended when it comes time for replacement. An average tire contains dozens of different components.

They include: petroleum, polyester, silica, steel, natural & synthetic rubber, nylon and the list goes on. This makes you think about how complex a tire really is. Manufacturers process these components differently to come up with tires that have various performance ratings. It's very important to talk to a someone who knows tires and what your needs are to match your vehicle. Again you must read your owners manual to see what load range you require. I don't advise going cheap on tires, jeopardizing your safety and the safety of your family.

Think about how many revolutions an average tire does over a 2 hour period at 60 mph along with the wear and tear from unsuspected road hazards, wet conditions and hot weather. I have always recommended going with quality when it comes to certain components on a vehicle. Tires and batteries are always at the top of my list.

As I have emphasized, the ratings of your tires have to match the vehicle manufacturer's standards. The embossed numbers and letters on your tire sidewall can tell you exactly what it's capable of doing. The speed rating for example is a letter designation. The letter 'M' means the tire is rated for 81 mph while the letter 'H' is higher at 130 mph.

The other designations marked on your tire sidewall is as follows:
-Size
-Maximum Load
-Service Description
-Maximum Inflation
-DOT Serial # (Dept. Of Transport)
-Construction
-Uniform Tire Quality Grading
-Construction Type

Tires are very complex and the most important component on your vehicle. The next time you're screaming down a heavy hill with a 7% grade, think about the tires you're depending on to get you to the bottom of the hill safely. Change all 4 together and stick to the specifications that came with your vehicle. Your life is worth spending an extra couple hundred dollars for good quality tires.

How To Store Winter Tires
Store them in a cool dry place stacked on top of each other 4 high and wrapped in plastic storage bags (available from your tire dealer). The plastic bags will protect them from natural ozone in the air that will cause tire rubber to dry out and crack.



Accutire MS-4350B Programmable Digital Tire Gauge