Back to School – Tire Safety Tips

With the beginning of the new school year, the daily trips to school begin once again. Whether you are, or have, a high schooler or a college student, checking the tires on the vehicle should be of the utmost importance. We have compiled a list of necessary factors to look for when it comes to tires so that you can ensure they are up for the daily journeys to education.

Vehicle Alignment

A vehicle’s alignment can easily ruin the tires. An irregular alignment can put uneven pressure on the tires during their performance, which can either cause the tire to develop an unequal tread wear pattern or it will cause one tire to wear quicker than the other. A vehicle’s alignment should be regularly checked to ensure the driving pressure is optimally balanced out across the entire tire surface.

Some tires are designed with Alignment Indicators on their tread area, which visually portray the vehicle alignment with the tread wear rate. By monitoring these tires, you can catch the irregular wear on the tire and get the vehicle’s alignment corrected before an uneven wear pattern takes hold.

Most General tires are made with the VAI (Visual Alignment Indicators) technology.

Tire Rotation

Tires rotate while they are in motion, but we are not talking about that now. Rotating tires means to change them from one axle to the other, i.e.: from the front axle to the back one. Tire rotation helps extend the tire’s life by allowing the tires to withstand different driving pressures affecting them as front and rear tires wear differently.

There are different types of rotation and even staggered vehicle tires can be rotated. The types of rotation depend on the vehicle, the tread pattern and the manner of tread wear on the tires. Rotating the tires combats uneven tread wear and it lengthens the tread life and the model’s usability. According to experts, tires should be rotated after every 5,000 miles.

Tire Pressure

The optimum tire pressure for your vehicle is located on a sticker in the car’s door jamb or in the owner’s manual. The tire must have the correct PSI to ensure their performing ability.

Bigger is not always better. While tires do state their maximum PSI (pounds per square inch), it is not recommended to fill the tires up completely. A maximum PSI decreases the tire’s road contact, which makes it less controllable and it reduces the tread life. Lower air pressure can also be a problem. While it will increase the road contact, it will cause the tire to create unnecessary friction between the road surface and the tire which will reduce the fuel efficiency and handling.

Tires need the optimal PSI to function correctly and to safely perform in various conditions.

Tread Depth

The tread depth is also important. A tire’s tread design optimizes its traction and road grip, ensuring the tire’s safer performing capability. The shallow tread of a worn-out tire will not grip the road surface well enough, to ensure a secure drive.

Spare Tire

Having a functional spare tire – for vehicle’s that don’t have run flat tires – makes the drive safer. You will be able to change your tire to a spare one when a puncture or other damage causes you to pull over, which will not leave you stranded on the side of the road.

However, a spare tire will only help if you know how to change it. The most important tools to change the tire come with your vehicle. The spare tire, the wrench and the jack are the main tools you will need. If you have everything necessary and the knowledge to do it, you can be reassured that your travel will be safer.