By Jacqueline Star
Did you know that according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration nine percent of all cars on the road in the United States are being driven on at least one bald tire? Cars with worn tires are extremely dangerous and could potentially be involved in fatal accidents and spin-outs. It is even considered illegal to drive with bald tires in many states. Bald tires aren’t just dangerous to the driver but to everyone else sharing the road.
Uneven wear on tires may be an indication that the car is out of alignment. Having your auto’s tires rotated on a frequent basis is important in order to make sure that they wear evenly and it is highly recommended to have tire pressure checked out from time to time. Going on the road with worn out tires is even more dangerous when it rains because when tires are worn out, the grooves aren’t deep enough in order to channel out water and this can lead to hydroplaning which is very dangerous. Hydroplaning is when tires loose traction and the car no longer responds to the steering wheel, the brakes or the driver. If your car does hydroplane, the safest thing to do is to remove your feet from the gas pedal in order to gain control.
A simple test to determine if you need new tires is by inserting a penny into the grooves of your tire at the lowest point. If Abraham Lincoln’s head is covered by the tire tread then your tires are good but if the tread does not cover Abraham Lincoln’s head then that means that the tires need to be replaced. A second way to tell if you need new tires is by sticking a tread-depth gauge into the grooves and observing how much tread there is left. Tire pressure can be checked by utilizing a tire pressure gauge. Certain gas stations may also have tire pressure gauges available. You can find out the correct pressure your vehicle requires in the owner’s manual.
If you are on a budget you can buy used tires and use them for a while until you get new ones. It’s important to always put your best and newest tires on the back because loss of traction on the front tire can be compensated by slowing down, whereas it is much more difficult for the average driver to compensate for a loss of traction on the rear wheels. It is also important to match up tires since mismatched ones can be unpredictable, especially in winter time.
We all know to wear our safety belts and not to talk on our cell phones while driving but many neglect our tires. Tires are extremely important because the entire foundation of your vehicle rests on your tires. So make sure your tires aren’t worn out and be sure to check the date on your tires when you purchase them and be safe out there on the road. Driving with bald tires is almost as hazardous as driving with your eyes closed; you never know what can happen.
About the Author: Written by Jacqueline Star:
Nissan Dealer Los Angeles
,
Used Cars Los Angeles
,
Used Car Dealer Green Bay
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