Car Insurance Orlando: Top Tips for Tire Care
When drivers think of vehicle safety there are a couple things that generally come to mind, but proper tire care might not be one of them. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), only 19 percent of drivers take preventive care when it comes to regularly maintaining their tire pressure. They estimate that one in four vehicles in America have at least one tire that is dangerously under-inflated. While vehicles produced after 2007 have integrated Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) which will alert the driver when a tire is severely under-inflated, below 25 percent of the necessary pressure for safe operation, drivers should make a regular effort to check not only their tire pressure, but also their overall look, feel and condition to avoid flats, blow-outs and other conditions which lead to hundreds of fatalities each year.
Maintaining the correct tire pressure can also help improve your vehicle’s fuel economy saving drivers an average of ten cents on every gallon. Additional routine tire maintenance such as rotation every 5-8 thousand miles and maintaining proper alignment can also help improve the safety and longevity of your tires and overall save drivers money. Rubber and other tire components can deteriorate over time; this process is often accelerated by weather, storage and environmental conditions. Although deterioration is often difficult to detect because it happens on a molecular level, making routing checks on the over-all condition of the tires can help drivers monitor any noticeable cracking, pealing, punctures or other deterioration which may be weakening the tires.
Knowing when to replace your vehicle’s tires is important, as is choosing the best tires to fit your driving habits and typical driving environment. The NHTSA recommends that drivers check their tread monthly to monitor their aging, durability and tread –wear. Professionals recommend an easy do-it-yourself tread test which involves placing a standard American penny in the groove of the tread. Place the penny with President Lincoln’s head down in the tread facing you. If you can see the top of his head then it is time to replace the tire. When replacing vehicle tires, there are different models often recommended for a vehicle based on the type of performance desired. Choosing the right tires to fit your needs might take a little research, but it essential to the safety and performance of your vehicle.
At Newman Crane, we are devoted to helping you protect yourself, your loved ones and your assets. That’s why we proudly offer a complete portfolio of personal insurance solutions to ensure that our clients find the best solutions to fit their needs and lifestyles. If you are looking for car insurance in Orlando, our Orlando auto insurance specialists can help craft a policy that will protect you on and off the road. Give us a call today at (407) 859-3691 to learn more about getting the best car insurance Orlando has to offer.