Earlier on, Pirelli published a few tire maintenance tips that would help drivers stay safe during long journeys. To show how important tire maintenance is for the average driver, Nexen Tire has also decided to jump on the bandwagon and offer more tips.
Summer is approaching and up to 25 million Americans are expected to embark on family vacations and road trips. There will be a spike in the number of drivers on the road, and as such, it is very important to ensure that your tires are properly maintained and ready for the journey.
The first thing that you should do is plan accordingly for blowouts, slow leaks, and road hazards. These can quickly get you stranded while driving to your destination. Make sure your tires are road-trip-ready. Carry out an inspection to see if they are properly inflated.
As we celebrate National Tire Safety Month this June, here are four things that Nexen Tire recommends:
1. Tire pressure
Proper tire inflation helps with durability, fuel efficiency, and safety. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends that drivers must check their tire pressure at least once every month. This should be when the tires are cold, i.e. when the car has not been used for over three hours.
The tire pressure should be at the recommended cold tire pressure which can be found in the vehicle’s manual or on a label in the door jamb. Remember to also check the condition and pressure of the spare tire. A spare tire that is not inflated will do you no good.
2. Visual inspection
A visual inspection helps to spot visual defects on tires. It also allows you as a driver to spot the tire tread left. All you have to do is look at the built-in “treadwear indicators.” These are raised sections that run in between the treads. When the height of the treads reaches that of the treadwear indicators, you’ll need to get yourself some new tires.
The “penny trick” is another great way of determining if you need to replace your tires. Grab a penny and put it in an upside-down position. Lincoln’s head should be facing you. Insert the penny between the treads. Check to see if you can see Lincoln’s head. If you can, it’s recommended that you change your tires.
3. Balance, alignment, and rotation
Nexen Tire advises you and other drivers to rotate your tires between every 5,000 to 8,000 miles. You can do it sooner, especially if you notice that there’s uneven tire wear. This helps to optimize the tires’ fuel-efficient features and increase durability.
Some performance cars have their rear and front wheels and tires installed in different sizes. This makes it a bit more challenging to rotate all tires at the same time. You can check your vehicle’s manual to find out what size of tires your vehicle comes with.
For even wear, have a qualified professional check the tires’ balancing and alignment. This maximizes the lifespan of the tires. It also prevents the vehicle from shaking and vibrating. A vehicle that shakes can develop handling issues. The tires become more susceptible to blowouts and uneven wear. Your tires need to be at the correct angle on the road.
4. Tire age
Like a lot of products on the market, tires age with time. Their rubber material and construction decrease as they wear out. How you store your tires and the environmental conditions they are exposed to contributes a lot to their lifespan.
When badly handled, these can often lead to tire failure, hence, increasing the chances of being in a crash if the tires are too old. Cars that are most susceptible to rapid tire aging include some RVs, trailers, collector cars, and larger passenger vans. Poor storage and constant exposure to sunlight can decrease the life of a tire fast.
Carry out a visual inspection to see any signs of dry rot or cracking. These will almost always show that the tire needs a replacement. Check the manufacture date on the sidewalls to ensure that you’re not driving on tires that are too old. If the tires are more than 5 years old, you might need a replacement.
According to John Hagan, the executive vice president of sales at Nexen Tire America, Inc., safety is one of the company’s highest priority. With these tips, it hopes that drivers will be able to avoid unexpected tire issues as they go out for vacations and road trips.
With thousands of Nexen tires hitting the road this summer, Hagan and his team want to ensure that customers get to enjoy unmatched tire shopping experience with the confidence that they are getting the highest-performing and safest tires available on the market today. Buyers should expect the same world-class tire services they have received over the years.