Tire maintenance is imperative to traveling safely in a car. The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association sponsors National Tire Safety Week (May 20 – 27, 2019), teaching drivers about tire maintenance and safety. Rotating and balancing tires, performing annual alignments, and sustaining air pressure lead to safer trips. Proper tire upkeep lengthens tire life, saves money, and increases road safety.
How To Measure Tire Tread
To determine how much tread a tire has left, put a penny in the tire’s tread. Place upside-down facing you; the tire is work if Lincoln’s head shows. In more technical terms, if less than 2/32 of tread remains, a tire is bald.
Tires that have less than half of their tread may start to lose their grip on wet or snowy roads. Snow, ice and rain make it harder or nearly impossible to stop. It may also be harder to accelerate on bald or worn tires if the ground is wet or slippery.
Benefits Of Proper Tire Maintenance
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), properly inflating your tires can save you as much as 11 cents per gallon on fuel. However, only 19% of consumers properly inflate their tires, meaning 4 out of 5 are wasting money from underinflated tires.
The NHTSA recommends checking tire tread and pressure monthly. Check your owner’s manual for how frequently your tires should be rotated and the best pattern for rotation.
Underinflated Tires Can Be Dangerous
Poor tires may lead to car accidents that cause injuries or even death. In 2017, a total of 738 people died on the road in tire-related crashes.
An individual who has been injured in a car crash through the fault of another may be entitled to compensation. A personal injury attorney could assist an injured victim throughout the process.
For further information or to schedule a consultation please contact us at 907.452.5400 (toll free: 866.452.3741) or visit www.merdes.com. The Merdes Law Office has helped injured Alaskans for more than 30 years, it’s who we are. And while we hope you never need us… We’re here if you do.
