and effort to makesure yourtires are road worthy can pay dividends whenit comesto safety. Experts say the first step is to make sure your tires are properly inflated. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, underinflated tires contribute to more than 600 fatalities and 33,000 injuries each year. Simply checking yourtire pressure can help you stay safe during your nexttrip. To get the most from yourtires this summer, here are some main- tenance tips from the world’s largest tire and wheel retailer— DiscountTire: *Get Pressure Right—Low tire pressure can decrease fuel economy. Tires may lose up to one pound per square inch per month. The specific inflation pressure numbercan be found on the vehicle placard located on the driver’s side doorpost, glove box door, fuel door or in the owner’s manual. Custom tires and wheels may change standard air pressure requirements, so if you customize, have a pro check them out before you go. *Don’t Overload Vehicle— Overloading decreases fuel economy due to increased wind drag and cargo weight. Handling, control and braking are also negatively impacted. *Rotate Before You Go— Regular rotation helps achieve uniform tire wear and improves road performance. Tires rotated every 6,000 to 8,000 miles have longer life and help to maximize your tire investment. *Straighten Up—Proper wheel alignment provides safe, predictable vehicle control and helps tires wear evenly and last longer. Air pressure in a tire goes up in warm weather 1-2 pounds for every 10-degree temperature change. Make sure the weather isn’t affecting your tires by using a tire gauge to check your pressure. *Bald Isn’t Beautiful—Lack of tread affects the tire’s ability to grip the road. Make suretires don’t have uneven wear, high or low spots or unusually smooth areas that can decrease traction and increasetherisk of road accidents. A Five-Minute Fix Checking tire pressure and tread is easy and can pay dividends when it comes to fuel economy and handling. Don’t go by appearances. Use a tire gauge to check since a tire can be 50 percent underinflated but still not appearflat. Make it a habit to check tire pressure every month and always before a long trip. Use the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure. Additionally, check tire tread depth by using the “pennytest.” Insert Abe Lincoln’s head upside downinto the tread. If you see his entire head, it’s time to replace the tire. To learn more abouttire safety, visit www.discounttire.com.
