When driving a vehicle, your personal safety and the safety
of your passengers often depend on the condition of your vehicle’s tires. If
the tires on your car are old, worn, not properly inflated or have been
recalled, the likelihood of being involved in an accident is significantly
higher. It only takes one defective tire to cause a tragedy.
Each year, more than 11,000 accidents can be attributed to a
tire-related issue. There are an average of 200 people each year that lose
their lives in tire-related crashes, according to Safecar.gov.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
has reported that out of the 2,189,000 crashes it recently reviewed,
approximately 15,000 of those crashes were tire-related. Another NHTSA study
revealed that 12 percent of passenger vehicles between the model years 2004 and
2011 had at least one tire underinflated by 25 percent or more.
Due to the significance of tires for your safety, it’s
important to know how to keep your vehicle’s tires properly maintained. If you
are unsure whether your car’s tires are safe, the following tips can help:
-
Read the tire identification number. If you look
along the side of the tire, it will show Department of Transportation (DOT),
the manufacturer and plant code, the tire size code, the manufacturer identity
number and the last four digits will indicate the week and year the tire was
made. For example, “3212” means that the tire was made in the 32nd
week of 2012. If the tire was made more than six to ten years ago, it is
probably not safe and you should get it replaced. And if you can’t read the
code, take your car to a tire shop to have the tires’ age checked.
-
Use a tire gauge to check the air pressure in
each tire every month. Vehicles that are of the model year 2006 and above have
a tire and loading information label along the edge of the driver’s side door.
This label contains all the information you need pertaining to maximum load,
type of tires and proper inflation pressure. Cooler temperatures decrease tire
pressure, so be sure to check your tires when there is cold weather.
-
You can check the tread depth on your tires by
putting a penny in upside-down between the grooves. If all of Lincoln’s head is
visible, then that means you should invest in a new set of tires.
-
If your car’s tires have not been rotated within
the last 5,000 to 7,000 miles, you should do so. This allows for all four tires
to wear at the same rate.
-
Lastly, check and inspect your tires for any
signs of damage including cuts, nicks, cracks, scrapes, bulges, or objects
lodged in between the tread. Although some punctures and other damage can be
temporarily repaired, this type of damage is usually a sign that your tires are
not safe.
If
you or someone you know has been involved in a car crash or truck accident in
Detroit, Grand Rapids, Warren, Sterling Heights, Lansing, Flint, Ann Arbor,
Livonia, Dearborn, Canton, Westland, Troy, Farmington Hills, Southfield,
Waterford or any other city in Michigan, make sure to contact Motor City
Accident Attorneys by calling 1-800-411-PAIN. Motor City Accident Attorneys
know how stressful a car accident can be and want to help you get back on your
feet. They will fight tirelessly for your rights and help you get the
compensation you deserve, according to your specific case. Make sure to follow
Motor City Accident Attorneys on Twitter (@MCAccidentAtty) and Facebook. Join
the conversation by using #MCAA.
