Make Sure Your Tires Have Plenty Of Tread

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration one out of 10 cars on the road in the United States are being driven on at least one worn out tire. Worn out tires are very dangerous and could potentially cause deadly accidents. Driving with bare tires is considered illegal in certain states. Bald tires are a hazard on the road to other drivers and pedestrians as well.

A car that is out of alignment can lead to uneven wear on the tires. It is also vital to have tires frequently rotated in order to make sure that they wear evenly and it is recommended to have tire pressure checked out from time to time. Rainy days can be extremely dangerous when you are driving on bald tires because the channels aren’t deep enough in order to siphon the water out and this can lead to hydroplaning which is very dangerous. During hydroplaning the tires loose traction and the car no longer responds to the steering wheel or brakes. If your car does hydroplane, the safest thing to do is to remove your feet from the gas pedal in order to gain control.

You can deduce 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. Another convenient 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.

A tire pressure gauge can be used in order to determine if your tires contain the recommended pressure. Certain gas stations may also have tire pressure gauges available. You can find the correct pressure for your tire listed in the drivers manual.

Tires are extremely important when it comes to driving safety because the entire foundation of your vehicle rests on your tires. So make sure your tires aren’t worn out before you go out on the road.

Written by Jacqueline Star: Nissan Dealer Los Angeles, Los Angeles Honda Dealers