Tire safety keeps you rolling
ART POWELL
Strategic Communication Directorate
U.S. Army Combat Readiness/Safety Center
(June 5-11 is National Tire Safety Week)
Keeping your vehicle road worthy, and anything you’re towing with it, goes beyond oil changes, tune-ups and wiper blades.
Safety experts say you should take 5 minutes a month to check where the rubber meets the road for signs of tire trouble.
According to information contained on the Website www.safercar.gov, proper tire air pressure is the most important part of maintaining your tires.
“Besides checking the pressure, tire care also includes rotating, balancing and aligning your tires properly on a regular basis,” said Walt Beckman, loss prevention program manager, Driving Task Force, U.S. Army Combat Readiness/Safety Center, Fort Rucker, Ala., “Also recognize the fact that the fuel economy you get depends on, among other things, proper tire care.”
Look in your vehicle owner's manual for information on the correct tire air pressure, and how frequently the tires on your vehicle should be rotated and the best pattern for rotation.
Other tire safety tips, according to safercar.gov:
• To maintain tire safety, purchase new tires the same size as the vehicle's original tires or another size recommended by the manufacturer. Look at the tire information placard, the owner's manual, or the sidewall of the tire you are replacing to find this information. If you have any doubt about the correct size to choose, consult with the tire dealer. (More on using larger or smaller tires later).
• To avoid vibration or shaking of the vehicle when a tire rotates, the tire must be properly balanced. This balance is achieved by positioning weights on the wheel to counterbalance heavy spots on the wheel-and-tire assembly.
• A wheel alignment adjusts the angles of the wheels so they are positioned correctly relative to the vehicle's frame. This adjustment maximizes the life of your tires and prevents your car from veering to the right or left when driving on a straight, level road. These adjustments require special equipment and should be performed by a qualified technician.
• The tire tread provides the gripping action and traction that prevent your vehicle from slipping or sliding, especially when the road is wet or icy. In general, tires are not safe and should be replaced when the tread is worn down to 1/16 of an inch. Tires have built-in tread wear indicators that let you know when it is time to replace your tires. These indicators are raised sections spaced intermittently in the bottom of the tread grooves. When they appear "even" with the outside of the tread, it is time to replace your tires.
A recent safety issue concerns low profile tires that can be purchased from numerous sources, including aftermarket suppliers.
“If you buy low profile tires, you better know what you’re doing,” Beckman explained. “They don’t provide as much overall traction as full-sized factory tires and especially don’t provide the same traction in curves you get from full-sized tires.”
Maintaining the proper air pressure on smaller tires is important for safe driving, and looking sporty will also cost you money at the fuel pump.
“You’ll see large changes in your fuel economy with the small tires, and switching over to much larger tires than came with your vehicle, like 26-inch rims, will also cost you gas mileage,” Beckman said.
Regardless of the size of your tires, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration advises you slow down if you have to go over a pothole or other object in the road and don’t run over curbs, and try not to strike the curb when parking.
Checking Tire Tread
Did you know that you can test your tire tread with a Lincoln penny? Simply turn the penny so Lincoln’s head is pointing down and insert it into the tread. If the tread doesn’t cover Lincoln’s head, it’s time to replace your tires.
For additional information, visit www.nhtsa.dot.gov or call 1-888-327-4236.
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Chief Warrant Officer 4 Christopher Volkert, ground task force, U.S. Army Combat Readiness/Safety Center, Fort Rucker, Ala., checks the air pressure on the tires of his vehicle. Tire pressure has been identified as the most important type of safety check you can perform on tires. National Tire Safety Week is June 5-11. (Photo by Art Powell)
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