If you're planning a family road trip this summer, be sure to take five minutes to check your tire pressure before hitting the road. Underinflated tires combined with hot weather and a fully- loaded vehicle could lead to tire failure.
Before hitting the road for summertime vacations, follow a simple tire care checklist to help avoid potential problems. Properly inflated tires increase fuel efficiency and make your car safer.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), drivers can improve their gas mileage by about 3.3 percent by keeping tires inflated to the proper pressure. Additionally, a DOE study found underinflated tires wasted 4 million gallons of gasoline daily -- nearly 1.5 billion gallons annually -- in America. At today's prices, that's over $3 billion dollars a year in additional gasoline costs.
Underinflated tires also generate excessive heat, which can be dangerous. "Heat is the number one enemy of the tire," said Donald B. Shea, President & CEO of Rubber Manufacturers of America (RMA.) "When tires are too hot, the potential for tire failure increases."
AAA predicts that 34.4 million Americans expect to travel by motor vehicle this July 4th. RMA research found that only 15 percent of American drivers properly inflate their tires, which means that 29.24 million holiday travelers will be driving on improperly inflated tires.
Here are some tire care tips for road trips:
Pressure -- Check tire pressure every month and before long trips.
Check tires when cold -- before they're driven and use the recommended inflation pressure found on a sticker on the driver's door or glove box. Don't use the pressure listed on the tire sidewall, which is the maximum pressure for the tire.
Alignment -- Is your car pulling to the left or right? You may have an alignment problem. Check it out before your tires wear unevenly.
Rotation -- Rotate tires every 6,000-8,000 miles or more if your vehicle manufacturer recommends it. Rotation helps tires wear evenly, which helps maximize tire life.
Tread -- Bald may be beautiful but not for your tires. Check tread depth by inserting a penny head first into the tread groove. If you can see all of Lincoln's head, it's time for a new tire.
