Do Not Ignore Your Tires
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Many people think they are maintaining their vehicles well. They schedule the oil changes, lubes, have the belts looked at and put the best spark plugs in money can buy. They make monthly appointments to have their cars detailed and park them in heated garages if they can.
Did all of that make them safe? Yes and no. They’ll probably never fail to start and run down the road in extreme heat or cold to get to your destination. But will it be a safe arrival? Do you know how many miles your tires are rated for? Do you know how many miles you currently have on them? When is the last time you actually walked around your car just to look at the tires?
Semi-truck drivers, per their CDL Driver’s License, have to inspect their 18 tires daily. Sure, if a tire blows that big rig could cause major carnage and blood shed on the highway for many vehicles and people. But if one Geo Metro blows a tire and suddenly drifts in front of the safe truck causing it to stomp on the brakes and lose control the very same situation could happen.
Take responsibility for your safety, your family and the lives of others. Take your car in to a tire shop soon and have them looked at. Never ever get new tires without getting them balanced and aligned. You’ll run the tread right off of your new investment if you try to cheap it out. Don’t buy the cheapest tires if you’re planning on keeping the car. If your car lasts for 200,000 miles or more, just 4 sets of tires that with a middle of the road price tag will get 50,000-60,000 miles per set. Try to stay with the same tire store. If you’re a regular customer they’ll give you price breaks to have your tires rotated and maybe some oil changes too!
From that day forward walk around your car before you get in. Look down and notice how they are wearing. A good even wear pattern is essential. If you see any of them but particularly the front starting to lose their tread on the inside or outside, get into a shop quickly. If you hit a pot hole and one wheel starts to wobble, get to a shop. The wheel weights are aluminum and can pop off with a hard blow.