TIRE SAFETY
CHECK YOUR TIRE ’ S MANUFACTURING DATE
The first thing to do before taking a trip is to check your tire ’ s manufacturing date . Tire manufacturers place the date the tire is constructed on the outer wall of the tire . This date is important because , over time , the tires will degrade internally ( also known as internal tire rot ). This can cause sudden blowouts and other related tire failures . Even if your tire looks brand new , you should replace your tire if the date on the tire is older than 5-6 years . When you ’ re buying a new tire , make sure it is at least less than a year old . It ’ s also a good idea to keep a record of your tire date you can easily refer to before hitting the road . For a detailed look at what all the markings on your tire mean , please see the image below .
CHECK THE TREAD DEPTH
Checking your tread depth is best done by using a tread depth gauge , and you should do this both before and after a trip . When has a tire lost too much tread ? When the tire repair shop states they ’ re legally not allowed to let you leave without signing a paper — it ’ s time to replace the tire ! On a serious note , the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration , Section 570.62 ( a ) states : The tread shall be not less than four thirty-seconds of an inch deep on each front tire of any vehicle other than a trailer and not less than two thirty-seconds of an inch on all other tires . Best to leave it to the DOT , but believe me it never hurts to be on the side of caution . More tread is going to provide more stability and grip while driving .
WEIGH YOUR VEHICLE
Improper weight and distribution of weight can cause uneven tire wear , increasing the chances of a tire failure , as well as causing premature wear on other components . Having your vehicle weighed allows you to without a doubt know what pressure your tires should be set at . Your off-road vehicle ( whether it ’ s a truck , van , or side-byside ) should be fully loaded at the time of weighing , this includes passengers , food , clothing , water , fuel , supplies . Each tire manufacturer supplies a load and inflation table to find the exact tire pressure . These tables can be found at your local tire shop , online through the respective manufacturer ’ s website or by visiting : www . tireminder . com / load-tables .
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