Summer travel season is here. Whether you're headed to the beach or the mountains, visiting family or wherever a road trip takes you, remember to keep tire safety top of mind. It's recommended that you check your tire pressure monthly and before long trips. Rotate your tires and check your alignment. Inspect the tread of your tires.
The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association suggests playing your PART to stay safe while traveling:
* Check inflation PRESSURE monthly
* Get ALIGNMENT checked
* ROTATE your tires
* Inspect the TREAD of your tires
Not sure where to start? Use the penny trick to check the trade wear on your tires: Turn a penny upside down and place it in one of your tire's major grooves. If part of Lincoln's head is covered by the tread, you're good to go but if you can see all of his head, it's time for a new tire.
Rotating tires is an important part of tire maintenance. Changing the position of each of the tires on your vehicle helps to spread wear evenly across all four tires, maximizing their tread life. If your vehicle owner's manual doesn't specific how often to rotate your tires, it's recommended every 5,000 to 8,000 miles.
Misaligned wheels can lead to uneven, rapid tread wear. Not sure whether your tires are in alignment? Here are some clues that they're not:
* Sharp or slight pulling in one diriection
* Steering wheel vibration
* Crooked steering wheel
* Uneven tire wear
Maintaining good tire pressure allows your tires to efficiently support your vehicle's weight while supporting your ability to control the vehicle for maximum performance and better fuel economy. Under-inflated tires generate excessive heat build-up and stress, causing irregular wear and internal damage. Over-inflated tires are more likely to be cut, punctured, or damaged when hitting an obstacle – like a pothole.
Learn more at www.ustires.org/ntsw