One of the most important jobs as a mom is driving your kids around to all their different activities! In the busy daily lives of moms, tire maintenance probably isn’t too high on a to-do list. However, investing in proper tire maintenance can help keep you and your family safe. Below are some tips that every mom should follow and also some important tire information to know that will ensure your family’s safety on the road.
- Tire Pressure
Did you know that in just one month a tire can lose up to 10 pounds of air pressure? Having the correct tire pressure is very important for fuel efficiency and also helps to get the most life out of your tires. To find the proper air pressure for your tires, you can look in your vehicle owner’s manual or on the driver’s side door.
Tips for maintaining tire pressure:
- Have a pressure gauge in your glovebox so you can check your tire pressure.
- Most gas stations have air pumps for tires if you notice that one of your tires may be low.
- Have your tires properly checked by a professional to make sure they are properly inflated. Checking at least once a month can assist in maintaining proper tire pressure and help save you time and money in the long run.
- Tread
Driving on tires that do not contain enough tread can bring many risks. As a tire wears, it is important to understand that a tire’s ability to perform in weather such as rain and snow will be reduced. If you are driving in rainy weather and your tires don’t have enough tread depth for water to escape through the tire’s grooves, then the result could be hydroplaning. According to most states’ laws, tires are legally worn out when they have worn down to 2/32″ of remaining tread depth. Checking your tires regularly for tread depth can help avoid possible danger. To avoid these possible issues, try the coin test below.
Coin Test:
- Using a U.S. penny, insert the penny into the tread grooves across the tire.
- If part of Lincoln’s head is always covered by the tread, you have more than 2/32″ of tread depth remaining.
- Visual Checks
Although moms are very busy, you should always take the time to make visual checks of your tires before getting into the car for the day. Checking for anything that looks abnormal or even checking for possible cracks can help prevent future accidents.
- Replace Rear Tires First
Many tire stores and service centers offer a Buy 3 Get 1 Free tire discount like the one at Mavis Discount Tire. However, if you can only afford to buy two tires, then you should definitely replace the rear tires first. Rear tires provide stability, and without stability, steering or braking on a wet surface might cause a spin.
- Tire Rotation
Tires should be serviced periodically following the rotation patterns provided in the vehicle owner’s manual or as established by the industry. Tire rotation can be beneficial in several ways. Having your tires rotated as recommended can provide performance advantages and preserve your tires.
- Alignment
Driving on unbalanced tires can cause road vibration, premature tire wear, and unnecessary wear to the vehicle’s suspension. Making sure you keep your tires balanced and your vehicle properly aligned is very important to the daily use of your vehicle. Proper alignment is necessary for even treadwear and precise steering.
For additional information on tire care and tips, check out Mavis Discount Tire: http://www.mavistire.com/productcart/pc/_tire_care.asp
