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Everyone knows to keep an eye on the oil in your car, as well as the other levels of other fluids. It’s common knowledge to get your tires balanced and rotated. We all now that in Alabama winters are cold and summers are scorching hot, so antifreeze and coolant must be monitored respectively. But, what about your tires?
Do you know when and how to monitor your tire life?
At Spiffy’s Car Wash, we care about the safety of our customers and friends. We want you to make it from point ‘A’ to point ‘B’ all safe and sound. This time of year a large volume of our customers tell us about their upcoming road trips. They come in for an oil change or to wash their vehicle after getting back into town. And, far too often our friends are alarmed when we let them know that their tires are literally hanging on by a thread!
So, what do you do? How do you know?
According the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA), roughly one out of every 10 drivers checks his or her tire pressure correctly, compared with almost seven out of 10 who wash their cars regularly [source: RMA]. But, what most drivers do not realize is that an under-inflated, over-inflated, worn down or misaligned tire can be extremely dangerous, especially during a hot Alabama summer.
Did you know that tire pressure changes with the rising temperatures? It does! Approximately one to two PSI (pounds per square inch) for every 10-degree increase in outside air temperature [source: RMA]. If you are not familiar with how much air should be in your vehicle’s tires consult your owner’s manual or the sidewall of your tire. Or, ask us today when you stop by Spiffy’s and the guys in our service shop will be happy to do it for you.
An under-inflated tire bulges outward and puts undo pressure on the sidewalls of the tire. With enough heat and pressure, that tire eventually will blow. An over-inflated tire, on the other hand, makes less contact with the road and can lead to hydroplaning in wet conditions.
And, if you paid attention in driver’s ed you will remember the “Penny Trick.” You should use the penny trick to see if you still have enough tread on your tires. Stick a penny in the tread, and if Lincoln’s head disappears, you’re good. Spiffy’s Car Wash can also check your tires for you the next time that you come see us!
And don’t forget about your spare! There’s no point in having a spare tire if your spare is in worse condition than the rest. Make sure the spare is properly inflated and has ample tread depth.[push h=”20″]
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