Tire Maintenance & Preventing
Auto Accidents in Tampa, Florida & Surrounding Areas
The tires on your car or truck may look
like simple air-filled donuts, but in reality, tires have
a complex design that enables them to accomplish their
many important functions.
Tires are the only vehicle part touching
the road; therefore, they are one of the most important
factors in your vehicle's safety. Tire manufacturers use
more than 100 different components to ensure your tires
will support your vehicle and keep it stable. In addition
to the many different tire parts, these engineering marvels
contain a precise combination of ingredients such as petroleum,
rubber, steel, polyester, nylon, and more. Each tire model
comes with its own formula of parts and ingredients to
give the tire its unique performance benefits.
Whether you prefer Bridgestone tires
on your car in Tampa, or Michelin tires for your oversized
pickup in Clearwater, all tires
come with a general list of maintenance tips. By following
these safety tips, you may prevent an auto accident and
protect your life, as well as others:
- Pressure—Only about 14 percent of
us check our tire pressure every month as recommended
by experts. (In contrast, 75 percent of us wash our
cars every month.) Check your tire pressure every 30
days and before long trips. The correct tire pressure
is shown in your owner's manual. Ask your mechanic for
assistance, if needed.
- Use a tire gauge—A tire can lose
50 percent of its air and still appear visually normal.
Always use a tire gauge to check tire pressure.
- Spare tire—Check the tire pressure
in the spare tire every time you check all the other
tires.
- Tire pressure monitoring system
(TPMS)—If your car has a sensor that tells you when
tire pressure is low, that's great, but do not rely
solely on this feature. The TPMS does not warn you until
you've lost at least 25 percent of your tire pressure,
which means it's already dangerously low. Go ahead and
measure your tire pressure with a tire gauge every month
to make sure.
- Avoid underinflation—Low tire pressure
leads to extra stress and heat on your tires, leading
to tire failure and auto accidents.
- Avoid over inflation—High tire pressure
affects vehicle handling and causes uneven wear on tires.
- Visual inspection—Look at each tire
for signs of nails, screws, or any sharp objects sticking
out of a tire. Also watch for cuts, bulges, and other
irregularities on the sidewalls.
- Tread—Tire tread is essential for
proper traction and grip on the road. To check tire
tread, place a penny in the tread with Lincoln's head
facing up. If you can see all of Lincoln's head, it's
time for a new tire.
Tampa auto accidents
lawyer Dale Appell, P.A. encourages all area residents
to measure their tire pressure—and visually inspect their
tires—at least once a month. This one maintenance pointer
only takes a couple minutes, but could save you, your
family, and others from the tragic consequences of a car
accident.
For more information
about tire safety in Tampa, Florida and surrounding
communities, contact our law office for assistance.
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