Preventative Care is the Best Auto Safety Measure
We rely on our cars for nearly everything, from the everyday commute and shopping to the adventure and excitement of travel. When your car is well maintained, you’ll hear the smooth purr as it eats up the miles on your journeys. It only takes some simple and routine maintenance to keep your car in top condition, following the auto manufacturer and tire company’s recommendations. Regular oil changes, checking your tires and topping up all liquids keep it in running in top condition.
Preventative care is the best policy
Keeping your car in good condition can be essential for keeping you and your family safe on the roads and highways. When it comes to tires, brakes and other essential systems, the best way to ensure that your car is working well is by following a regular routine of maintenance.
Researchers estimate that neglecting these simple rules of regular maintenance can cost the economy a total of $2 billion or more each year. When it comes to auto maintenance, preventative care is the best policy.
Most autos come with manufacturers’ guidelines stating how often maintenance must be carried out. Following these guidelines will help you keep your car in perfect condition. The condition of your tires and maintaining the right tire air pressure is crucial to overall safety. So too is the state of your tire tire treads.
Tire air pressure is a safety issue
Tire air pressure should be checked regularly. Under inflated tires are a safety hazard. According to a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), vehicles with tires under-inflated by 25 percent or more have a three times higher risk of being in a crash.
Under inflated tires also cause tire stress and irregular wear as well as increasing the possibility of loss of control and crashes. It’s a good idea to have your tire air pressure checked each time you have an oil change. The manufacturer’s recommended pressure is usually found in a chart on the door frame.
Checking the treads
Along with air pressure, the state of your tire treads is important for safety. Worn out treads risk blowouts and an increased danger of hydroplaning. Hydroplaning occurs when tires lose their grip on the road due to water on the road surface. It usually happens when driving in heavy rain at high speeds.
Test results have shown that hydroplaning starts at lower speeds when tire treads are worn out – typically when cornering at 47 mph on treads with a groove depth of less than 1.6 mm. For new tires, hydroplaning occurs at speeds of 60 mph or higher.
For safety reasons, tire companies recommend replacing tires when the treads are worn down to 6/32nds of an inch.
When it comes to autos, preventative care is the best safety measure. With regular maintenance and check ups, following guidelines from manufacturers and tire companys, you can ensure that your journeys will go smoothly.
