Here at Modern Limo Service, we are observing National Tire Safety Week (May 28 through June 3, 2017) the same way everyone is—by doing a thorough tire check!
The Rubber Manufacturers Association created National Tire Safety Week in 2001 to help drivers become more aware of how to keep their tires safe and well maintained. By doing this, many accidents can be prevented that would otherwise be caused by tire blowouts resulting from wear, low/high pressure, or debris.
It’s obviously very important to do tire checkups, but did you know that only 15% of drivers properly check their tires? Pretty shocking, considering doing it right and often can save lives.
Drivers of all kinds can do a few simple, yet very important, things regularly in order to help keep tires safe—thereby helping themselves avoid tire-related accidents on the road. Here’s what all drivers should be doing:
Keeping An Eye On Tire Pressure
It’s important to keep an eye on the pressure in your tires, making sure they’re neither under-inflated or over-inflated. Since most cars don’t alert you of low or high tire pressure, drivers should regularly check this themselves. If your tires have too much or too little air, you’re at risk for a blowout on the road. You can easily check your tire pressure with a tire pressure gauge, which you can find at most gas stations. The maximum amount of air each tire should have is written on the tire itself.
Maintaining Tire Treads
Look at the wear bars on your tires. If the wear bars are visible, that means your tires are too worn, and you’re at risk for a blowout on the road.
Replacing Your Tires When Needed
Tires should be replaced at least every ten years, even if they look like they’re still in good shape. It’s just not worth the risk. If you’re unsure of sure how old your tires are, you can check their sidewalls.
Checking Tire Valves
Tire valve caps keep air from leaking out of the tire, so they’re very important. When doing your checkups, make sure those valve caps are all there. And be careful not to lose them when you’re checking the tire pressure with a gauge. They’re small and can easily get lost!
Keeping Up On Tire Rotation & Balance
Because unbalanced tires can cause irregular wear on tire treads, it’s important to regularly have your tires balanced. This wear can cause blowouts on the road, and by having your tires balanced, you’re preventing unnecessary wear. Tires should be rotated every 6,000 to 8,000 miles, and should also be checked frequently for general damage such as cuts, gouges, or bulges in the sidewall, cracking, or rocks/debris in the treads.
At Modern Limo Service, road safety is our highest priority. That’s why our drivers are so carefully trained and why we ensure that each of our vehicles in in top-notch condition. The principles of National Tire Safety Week are at our core, and we hope it’s the same with all drivers. We are a Los Angeles car service that practices safety first. If you’re ever in need of limo or luxury car service for airport transport, a night out, or anything else, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
