Avoid Dangerous Blow Outs Be Sure To Inflate Your Tires Properly

A tire blowout can be scary and dangerous, but it is often preventable with proper tire inflation. Maintaining proper tire pressure for your vehicle is vital for its correct operation and management. If you’re unsure what the appropriate pressure for your tires is, see Russ Darrow. We can check the pressure for you and add air if needed.

Newer vehicles have a feature called the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). This system monitors tire pressure and will trigger a warning light if tires are more than 25-30% over or underinflated. So, if your tire is 20% low or high on air, the system is not triggered, and that is enough to result in substantial premature tire wear and decreased fuel economy. Having tires that are not appropriately inflated can damage your car and, more importantly, can increase your chances of a blowout or accident. For these reasons, you must check your tires at least once a month at home or at Russ Darrow to ensure that they are neither over nor underinflated. Keeping your car’s tires inflated to the automaker’s recommended pressures is critical to tire maintenance. Tires containing the specified air pressure last longer and contribute to vehicle safety. The recommended tire pressure on the sticker is located on the driver’s side doorjamb or in your vehicle’s owner’s manual. This figure is tailored to your vehicle’s weight and intended use. Because tires can be easily inflated, many car owners decide to inflate their tires themselves, which can result in over or under-inflation. If you’re unsure, seeing a Darrow service technician is best.

There are additional benefits to maintaining this easy activity in addition to keeping your tires correctly inflated to prevent a hazardous blowout. Too much flexing from underinflated tires causes heat accumulation. Driving at fast speeds or in hot weather increases the risk of a blowout because the heat can damage the tire.  On the other side of things, overinflated tires affect handling and braking distance by decreasing the contact area with the road. Low tire pressure results in less responsive steering and handling as well as an impact on stopping distances. When a rapid move or emergency stop is required to prevent an accident, this can be particularly risky. Additionally, under-inflated tires have more rolling resistance, which lowers fuel efficiency.. They also wear more rapidly at the outer edges of the tread, which means replacement will be necessary sooner than with properly inflated tires. To help tires wear more evenly, have the tires rotated at the intervals specified by the vehicle manufacturer at a Russ Darrow Service Shop. Correctly inflated tires provide optimal grip and responsiveness, improving handling and stability, particularly in emergencies, and promote a safer and more comfortable driving experience.

Drivers don’t think about having a dangerous blowout because of improperly inflated tires. Tire inflation or pressure is not often considered the cause of many vehicle problems. Keeping your tires properly inflated is the best way to save money on fuel and repairs, and help maintain your vehicle’s health.  If you are familiar with your vehicle’s requirements for proper tire pressure, check and adjust your tire pressure in the morning, or before driving on them. Cold tires give the most accurate reading. Understand that weather will also affect tire pressure. Colder weather may cause the pressure to drop, while summer heat can cause the pressure to increase. Use digital or dial gauges for the most accurate reading. Check your owner’s manual to see if your vehicle manufacturer recommends increasing pressures for towing, carrying heavy loads, or extended highway travel. It’s easy to stop by Russ Darrow for accurate readings and to get your tires properly inflated. Avoid dangerous blowouts with proper tire inflation!