Spring Vermont Home, Garden & Auto 2019 | Seite 20

keep tires
ROAD WORTHY
for safer driving
METRO CREATIVE GRAPHICS
M
aking driving more safe
can come down to ensur-
ing that the vehicle is
in good working order,
starting from the ground up.
Th e National Highway Traffi c Safety
Administration warns that an average of
200 people die each year in tire-related
crashes. In 2016, 733 people across the
United States lost their lives in accidents
in which tire malfunction was a con-
tributing factor. Roughly 70 percent of
single-vehicle accidents are tire-related.
Taking tire maintenance seriously can
greatly reduce the chances of blowouts,
accidents and fatalities.
Maintain the right pressure
Caring for tires not only improves
safety, but also extends the life of the
tires, saving drivers money as a result.
Michelin Tires says that simply checking
the tires’ infl ation pressure can make a
signifi cant diff erence in how long tires
last. For example, a tire that is consis-
tently 20 percent under-infl ated may see
its life expectancy reduced by 20 percent.
Tires that are not properly infl ated
also can have a high rolling resis-
tance. In such instance, the engine
must expend more eff ort to move
the vehicle, thus eating up fuel.
Pressure should be checked at ambient
temperature before driving, states AAA.
Th e recommended infl ation pressure can
be found in the drivers manual or on the
tire.
Check tire tread
Tires rely on good tread depth to
maintain traction and shed water dur-
ing wet conditions. AAA recommends
checking tread with a visual inspec-
tion and with the “quarter test.” Insert
a quarter into a tread groove with the
top of Washington’s head facing down.
If the top of his head is not visible, the
tires have at least 4/32 ” of tread and are
acceptable for continued use. If the top
of Washington’s head shows, tires need to
be replaced.
MAINTENANCE Page 19
yourself with the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance
guidelines. Adhering to those guidelines is a great way to keep
your car running strong for years on end, and it might just save
you from the hassle of sudden expensive repairs.
Protect the engine
Th e engine is arguably the most expensive part of your vehicle
to replace, so protecting it should be a priority. Routine oil
changes and oil fi lter replacements is a great way to protect the
engine. Manufacturer guidelines vary in regard to oil change and
oil fi lter replacement intervals, but such recommendations can
be found in your manual.
Hone your DIY skills
Drivers also can save money on maintenance by doing some of
their own minor vehicle repairs. YouTube is home to many DIY
20 • Spring Vermont Home, Garden & Auto 2019
Learn about tire aging
Check the owner’s manual for specifi c
recommendations concerning replacing
the spare tire for the vehicle. Some
manufacturers state aft er six years, while
others say 10 years is the maximum
service life for tires. While most tire
centers will use newly manufactured tires
when replacing tires, you can double
check the age of any tire by looking at
the sidewall for the tire identifi cation
number (TIN), off ers NHTSA. Th e last
four digits are the week and year of
manufacture.
Keep up on maintenance
Wheel alignment, tire rotation
and tire balancing are all key to
minimizing wear and extending the
life and safety of tires. Each vehicle
has specifi c recommendations,
and drivers should consult their
manuals to fi nd those specifi cs.
Tire function is an important
part of maintaining vehicle
safety and performance.
tutorials that can teach drivers how to change their own oil and
replace the fi lters on their vehicles. Routine repairs are relatively
easy, and many tutorials can walk you through them step-by-
step. Depending on how much you drive, learning to do your
own minor vehicle repairs may save you hundreds of dollars per
year.
Perform routine inspections
Older vehicles may or may not alert drivers via noises or leaks
that they’re in need of repair. Routine inspections of hoses,
brakes and tires, which should always be properly infl ated, can
let drivers know if their vehicles are experiencing problems
before those problems grow and become something costly.
Vehicle maintenance costs tend to be most expensive when
drivers ignore routine maintenance or miss signs that their cars
and trucks might be struggling. By adhering to manufacturer
maintenance guidelines and paying attention to their vehicles,
drivers can reduce the cost of keeping their cars on the road.