With tire blowout season in full swing, it’s critical that you inspect your wheels and follow proper tire safety procedures. Diligent tire maintenance is a key step in avoiding deadly car accidents, especially during the summer heat.

That’s why the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has declared June to be National Tire Safety Month. We’re sharing some of NHTSA’s advice on tire blowout prevention as well as offering our own expert insights based on customer experience!

Follow our guide on tire safety below:

  • How to Maintain Tire Safety

    • Check for Proper Tire Pressure and Tire Inflation

    • Keep Up With Your Tire Rotation

    • Inspect Your Wheel Alignment to Avoid Uneven Tread Wear

    • Get Tires Balanced

    • Change Tires According to Season

    • Don’t Mix and Match Tires

    • Repair Punctures Immediately

    • Get Tires Inspected by Professionals

    • Replace Tires When Needed

How to Maintain Tire Safety

Maintaining Tire Safety helps you stay safe on the road, especially during hot summer months. See our tire safety tips below!

Check for Proper Tire Pressure and Tire Inflation

On average, a tire will lose about 1 PSI of tire pressure each month. And the pressure will vary depending on the environmental temperature. In winter, tires tend to have a lower recommended PSI, while the summer heat will cause tires to expand.

Check your tire pressure according to your car’s manual each month and adjust the tire inflation at any gas station air pump. Driving on improperly inflated tires can misshape your tires, causing rapid tire breakdown and potential damage to your rims.

Keep Up With Your Tire Rotation

Regular tire rotations help maximize your tires’ lifespan. Each tire may experience a specific level of wear and tear due to its position—this is unavoidable. By rotating your tires, you allow for more even wear to improve your tread wear rate and tire safety.

Inspect Your Wheel Alignment to Avoid Uneven Tread Wear

We recommend going to a mechanic or tire shop for wheel alignment inspections. First and foremost, wheel alignment helps avoid uneven tread wear. Misaligned wheels can also indicate more serious mechanical problems that need to be addressed as soon as possible.

Mechanics perform tool-assisted inspections to accurately capture your adjustment angles and align your wheels.

Get Tires Balanced

Tire balancing is a check-up on your tire-wheel assembly to ensure that your tire’s weight is evenly distributed around the circumference of your wheel assembly. If it isn’t, then the tire’s center of gravity and the wheel’s don’t match, causing vibrations throughout your car at high speeds. You may also veer left or right when driving straight.

The most common way to tell if you need to balance your tires is if your car floor, seat, or steering wheel vibrate while going above 45 mph. A mechanic can apply small weights to balance your tire-wheel assemblies.

Change Tires According to Season

The average driver and vehicle do best with reliable all-season tires. However, if you live in more extreme climates, you may benefit from having a set of seasonal tires to optimize your tread wear rate.

  • Summer tires – Summer tires have shallow treads, allowing for more contact with the road and, subsequently, more traction and grip. They’re built for speed and agility.

  • Winter tires – Also known as snow tires, winter tires are designed for colder climates (under 40ºF) that get a lot of snow and ice.

Your environment and driving habits will determine which tires are best for you. Talk to a tire shop or mechanic to figure out which tires are suitable for your area.

Don’t Mix and Match Tires

It goes without saying that mixing tires with different dimensions, specifications, and wear levels can negatively affect your overall tire safety and performance. 

Do your best to research compatible tires or talk to a tire shop specialist for a tailored solution. At Hooper’s Tire Outlet, we inspect all used tires to ensure they’re as good as new. We’ll help you find premium-quality tires at an affordable rate so that you can stay safe on the road.

Repair Punctures Immediately

A tire puncture can be repaired on your own using a tire repair kit if:

  • The puncture is on the tread (and only the tread)

  • The puncture is under ¼ of an inch in diameter

  • The puncture is not in the same area as another repair

Any punctures beyond the tread or larger than ¼ of an inch should be replaced instead. When in doubt, contact a professional to inspect your tire.

Replace Tires When Needed

Worn-down tires are a ticking time bomb, and you need to replace them before you experience a tire blowout or get into a serious accident. Inspect your tires and replace them when it’s time.

Get Tires Inspected by Professionals

If you only take away one tire safety tip, we hope that it’s, “Get your tires inspected by professionals.” There’s no room for doubt in safety, and you never want to leave your car’s performance up to chance. Visit a trusted mechanic or a tire shop like Hooper’s Tire Outlet to complete your tire inspection today.

QUALITY USED TIRES AT HOOPER’S TIRE OUTLET

Celebrate National Tire Safety Month by keeping up your tire maintenance! Tire inflation, tire rotation, and tire alignment are all important factors to consider when inspecting your car. If you experience a puncture or notice any damage, work with a mechanic or tire shop to replace your tire as soon as possible.

Hooper’s Tire Outlet is a one-stop shop for all tire needs. Get a tire inspection and discover quality used tires at Hooper’s Tire Outlet!