Of Safe Tires and Safe Trips |
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Steven Magill
14 January 2013
It is said that a vehicle is a carrier of life. When you set foot on any vehicle, you trust your life to the good condition of that machine and the ability of its operator to maneuver it towards your shared destination. In a way, you are staking your life to the good working condition of each key part of the vehicle you are. If you're riding a car, that would include the tires.
Tires need special attention since they are the ones cushioning the vehicle and its passengers from impact with the ground. They carry the entire weight of the vehicle and its passengers from departure to arrival while enduring ground friction at sometimes extreme speed and adverse terrain conditions. More than just getting alloy wheel repairs, you need to take close monitoring of a few key elements in its use.
One important element to maintain is right tire's pressure. According to some scientific study on cars and accidents involving it, under-inflation is one of the top causes of tire failure. This lack of pressure can be caused by gradual air discharge during long distance travels, an unnoticed leak in the tire's interiors, or simple a protracted period of negligence by the owner. It may sound so basic but this little factor can cause the problems initially on the car's maneuverability until the resulting unevenness of internal pressure can cause cracks in the tire's interior fiber which may cause a tire explosion.
It is then important for a car owner to regularly inspect cars for damages. Daily wear and tear can cause gradual damages that may be overlooked overtime. They can likewise also cause sudden abnormal damages that can instantly put the vehicle at risk. You must then research on the scientific signs that your car tires are breaking and what causes them. In the meantime, look for uneven tread wear. It can mean misalignment of the tire's treads and fabric. Any cracks or bulges in the sidewall can also be a serious concern just as a trace of foreign object pricking the tire rubber exteriors.
To prevent one tire from bearing the most pressure during each travel, it is recommended that that you interchange the tires around. This is called tire rotation. According to experts, tire rotation must be done every 6000 miles. Doing so will allow an owner to enjoy the maximum life of the tire because each tire will have an even tread tear being used on brakes, steering and control maneuvers. The usual car rotation practiced is: left-front tire to the right-rear axle and the right-front tire to the left-rear axle.
Your car must maintain a balanced distribution of its body weight to the four wheels. This may sound trivial especially when the car is mobile because the weight shifts depending on the terrain anyway but an experienced technician will tell you that an unbalanced car body will take its toll on the wheel that bears the most work as a result.
A misaligned steering system and suspension can cause serious instability in car balance and may compromise the maneuverability of your car. Consequently it can eventually ruin the fabric of the tire as well as its rims in just a short distance which may force you to replace tires and undergo alloy wheel refurbishment.
Overloading will eventually lead to several of the mentioned problems above. It can also cause extreme friction resulting into tire overheating. When that happens, the danger of your tire exploding increases exponentially. This will be further aggravated when you are traveling over rough roads or damaged pavements.
Do not wait for an accident to happen before taking any action. Replace your tire immediately when you are already beginning to have serious doubt about ability to carry you safely to your next destination. Replace it with a tire can best ensure your safe travel at the maximum length of time.