As Americans take to the roads for summer travel and vacations, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is reminding everybody during National Tire Safety Month to check their tires to make sure they're ready to roll. Properly checking and inflating your tires is an important step to help make your tires last longer, save you money and protect you and your family on the road.
During Tire Safety Month, NHTSA is sharing these tips for consumers:
- Conduct monthly maintenance inspections, focusing on proper tire inflation pressure, treadwear and tire damage, in addition to recurring tire rotation and balancing, and alignment services.
- Proper tire pressure is the most important part of maintaining your tires. It affects safety, tire durability, and your fuel consumption. Check the pressure of all tires, including your spare, at least once a month when the tires are "cold," meaning that the car hasn't been driven for at least three hours.
- Check your tires' tread at least once a month when you're checking their pressure. Tires have built-in "treadwear indicators," which are raised sections that run in between the tire's tread. When the tread is worn down so that it's level with the tread indicator, it's time to replace your tires.
- Tire balancing ensures your wheels rotate properly and keeps the vehicle from shaking or vibrating. Always have new tires balanced at installation.
- Rotating your tires can help reduce irregular wear, which will help your tires last longer and maintain fuel efficiency. Check your owner's manual for information on how frequently the tires on your vehicle should be rotated and the best pattern for rotation. If recommended by the vehicle manufacturer, rotate your tires every 5,000 to 8,000 miles or sooner if uneven wear appears.
- To maintain tire safety, purchase replacement tires that are the same size as the vehicle's original tires or another size recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. Check your owner's manual or the Tire and Loading Information Label located on the driver's side door edge or post to find the correct size for your car or truck.
- You can check for tire recalls and file a tire safety complaint if you think there may be a problem with your tires at NHTSA.gov.
For more information about tire safety, visit NHTSA.gov/tires.
Image: Conor Luddy | Flickr
