One of the important car safety considerations is proper care of the tires. Statistics support the premise that tire safety requires the serious attention of drivers.
The National Traffic Safety Administration believes tire failures and blowouts contribute to at least 400 deaths and over 10,000 non-fatal injuries each year in the U.S.
The first and simplest step in tire care begins with a regular and quick visual examination of tires to check to make sure you have adequate tread. Looking at your tires by walking around the vehicle and looking at the tires for obvious cuts or bald or excessively worn spots. Any defects that are visible to you on your tires should be addressed immediately.
Try the penny test advocated by many reliable authorities; check your tires for proper tread by taking a penny and pinching Lincoln's body between your thumb and forefinger. Put Lincoln's head in a groove on the tread. If any part of Lincoln's head is obscured by the tread, your tread depth is probably ok. If you can see above his head, visit the dealership of your choosing to see about replacing your tires.
One final word on the topic of tire tread – although tire sales persons may advance the notion that retreaded tires are safe as well as economical – avoid this type of purchase. Don’t be penny wise and dollar foolish – remember like the tire company commercials- you do have a lot riding on your tires.
Adequate tire pressure is the second most important consideration for drivers in relation to tire safety. Unfortunately, under inflation is a leading cause of tire failure and improper air pressure can cause a tire to blow out or fail.
Tire pressure is measured in pounds per square inch (psi). Tires lose air through the process of permeation. Changes in outdoor temperature can affect the rate at which a tire loses air. Typically, a tire may one pound to two pounds of pressure per month, and even more in warm weather. Look at the walls of your tires to make sure that you are using you tires at the manufacturers recommended tire pressure.
To help avoid under inflation of tires have the air pressure checked professionally at least once a month or buy and carry in you vehicle a tire pressure gauge and set an inspection routine.
In addition to under inflation some tire blowouts are caused by defects in the tire itself due to manufacturing defects. While those instances are not as frequent as other causes of blowouts they do happen and continue to cause injury and wrongful death.
If you have any doubts about your tires, consult a tire dealer that employ-trained experts whose job is to detect defects in your tires.
Author Resource:
Baumgartner Law Firm is the author of this article on Houston Personal Injury Lawyer .
Find more information about Accidents Caused By Defective Tires here.
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