A ton goes into planning a road trip, and in the excitement, it’s easy to miss something important, such as checking your vehicle’s tires. When you check the tires, you can drive with peace of mind, knowing that they are in good condition and you will have a safer trip. There’s nothing like thinking about checking them when you get halfway to your destination and notice uneven wear or that the tread is a little thinner than you’d like. Who wants to spend a day of their long-planned trip at a strange tire shop? Repair One in The Woodlands TX, can check the tires before you leave. In fact, we can do a complete pre-trip inspection for you.
Why a Tire Check Before Trip is Crucial
Tires are one of the most critical safety features of your vehicle. They are also critical for performance and fuel efficiency, yet they are also one of the most overlooked components of the vehicle. Properly maintained tires provide the following:
- Safety: When your vehicle’s tires have the correct tire pressure and enough tread depth to give you a better grip, you reduce the risk of accidents.
- Handling: Tires that are well maintained also improve responsiveness and handling, which increases your ability to control the vehicle in turns and evasive maneuvers.
- Fuel Efficiency: When the tires have the correct air pressure, they reduce rolling resistance, which means better fuel economy.
- Longevity: Regular tire inspections, rotating the tires and aligning the wheels regularly extend the life of the tires.
Steps to Inspect the Tires and Tire Safety Tips
Checking the tires is more than just giving them a quick glance. Increase tire safety, handling, fuel efficiency and longevity by taking these steps:
Tire Pressure
Check the tire pressure at least once per month. If the pressure is too low, the outside edges of the tire wear, and it increases rolling resistance, which decreases fuel economy. The more energy it takes to move the vehicle forward, the more fuel you’ll use. If the tires have too much pressure, the center will wear, and the vehicle becomes harder to control since there is less rubber on the road. If you want to check the tires yourself, you’ll find the air pressure marked at “p.s.i.” on the sidewall of the tire. Always use a good tire gauge for the best accuracy.
Tire Tread Depth
You can easily check the tire tread depth yourself. While the federal requirement is 2/32-inch, we recommend that you don’t allow the tread depth to get less than 4/32-inch. You can use the penny test to check the depth yourself. Insert a penny into the tread with Lincoln’s head facing down. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, the tires have less than 2/32-inch tread depth and it’s past time to replace them.
Visible Damage
Check for visual damage to the tires, including uneven wear. If the tires are worn on one side only or if the tread is scalloped, that is a sign of misalignment or suspension or steering problems. Also, check for cuts, punctures and bulges on the sidewalls. Look for objects embedded in the tread and cracks or splits (dry rot). All of these can compromise safety, handling, longevity and fuel efficiency.
Alignment
Check the alignment at least once per year. If you frequently drive on gravel roads or poorly maintained roads, check the alignment every six months. Signs you need an alignment include uneven tire wear, pulling to one side or a crooked steering wheel.
Check the Spare Tire
Don’t forget to check the spare tire. Most people never even think of it until they need it – and it won’t do you any good.
Contact Repair One
If you have a fleet of vehicles and are looking for someone to help you maintain your fleet by scheduling you at the best times, call the shop to discuss your needs. We treat every customer as an individual, not a number, and we get you on the road as soon as possible without sacrificing quality.
If you break down and need repairs immediately, instruct the tow truck driver to bring your vehicle to us. Once your vehicle is on the way, give the shop a call and let us know that your vehicle should be arriving shortly. Contact Repair One at (936) 271-1110 for an appointment. We have two locations for your convenience:
