Safety First: How to Take Care of Your Tires
It can be easy to overlook the little things, like the fact that we’re zooming down the street with nothing but four tires between us and the road daily.
Driving is one of the most dangerous things we do, and many of us do it every day! The more you think about the trust you put in your tires, the more you’ll want to keep those tires in great condition.
Luckily, your family here at Ice Cold Air on Dale Mabry is here with some tips to keep your tires safe and strong!
Tire Tip #1: Inspect your Tires Often
Step one to ensuring your tires don’t have issues is to inspect them. Cracks, bulges, and possible punctures are all safety hazards and should be treated as such. Checking your tires, especially before a road trip, keeps everyone riding in the car safe. Routine tire inspections can extend the life of your vehicle as well!
Tire Tip #2: Check Your Tire Pressure
While inspecting your tires, be sure to check the tire pressure. Tires can lose about one pound per square inch (PSI) per month; even more in colder areas.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the leading cause of tire-related crashes is underinflation.
Low pressure can also decrease your vehicle’s handling and gas mileage, costing you more money to drive around less safely.
Tire Tip #3: Watch the Weight
We’ve seen the movies where a family overpacks for a trip, stacking suitcases and overloading a tiny car. The comically large suitcases may not be the case in reality, but overloading your vehicle with weight can cause tire failure.
Look at the placard on your driver’s door frame, and you’ll see the weight limit to your vehicle. Be sure to mind it next time you’re loading it up.
Tire Tip #4: Rotate and Refresh
Be sure to rotate your tires when recommended, typically every 6,000-8,000 miles. Rotations are fairly inexpensive and spread wear and tear over all the tires. If new tires are needed, don’t wait! Many people let their tires go bald before replacing them, creating a huge safety risk for themselves and others on the road.
If a new set is required, don’t install mismatched tires. This can impact your vehicle’s handling and cause extra wear to the rest of the tires. It’s a balancing act, so be sure the base of your car is even all the way around.
Care for your Tires with Ice Cold Air
Now for the best tire tip of all…Whether it’s time for your tires to be rotated, repaired, or replaced, Ice Cold Air South Tampa on Dale Mabry is here to help! We’re more than just ice-cold air; you can trust us with anything your car needs.
Call us today at (813) 879-0600 to book an appointment, or swing by the shop over at 410 S Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa.
