No matter where you live, fall weather can bring some serious driving challenges. Here are our autumn driving tips to help you stay safe on autumn roads.
AIR PRESSURE
If you know anything about us, you know we're passionate about air pressure. It's one of the easiest and most important ways of maintaining your tires.
Having the proper tire air pressure helps ensure that your tires can get their peak performance. Your best bet is to inflate your tires to the manufacturer-recommended air pressure, which can be found on the driver's door panel, the glove box door, or in the owner's manual.
Maintaining the proper air pressure helps you combat some of the most common challenges in fall driving, including rain and potholes. That's why we recommend checking your air pressure monthly and before any long trips.
HYDROPLANING AND WET WEATHER HAZARDS
In most parts of the country, fall weather often brings wet weather. As any driver knows, driving in wet weather can be quite difficult.
When wet weather strikes, your tires can lose traction as the rainwater mixes with oil or grime on the streets. As deep puddles form on the streets, you also run the risk of hydroplaning if the water is too deep for your tires to evacuate quickly enough.
In rainy conditions, always reduce your speed and pay very close attention to the road surface, watching for standing water that might cause hydroplaning.
TREAD DEPTH AND FALL DRIVING
When it comes to safe driving in the autumn, your tread depth also plays a big role.
Tread depth helps your tires clear their way through water. Grip in wet weather can be seriously diminished as early as 5/32'' of tread depth. But when your tires have enough tread to remove water from the contact patch and properly grip the road, you can confidently take on your autumnal drive.
To make sure you're ready for those seasonal challenges, we recommend checking your tread depth once a month. (Pro tip: why not knock out your tread depth checks when you're checking your air pressure?)
AVOIDING POTHOLES
One of the biggest driving challenges you can face during the fall season? Potholes. But what causes potholes?
During the winter months, moisture seeps into the road surface. As this moisture freezes and unfreezes, the roadway expands and cracks, leading to potholes.
If hit hard enough, potholes can cause serious damage to your tires, wheels and even suspension components. If you live in an area that deals with harsh winter conditions, keep a wary eye out for potholes. This is often difficult in the fall when potholes can be obscured by leaves and other road debris carried by the autumn winds.
It's worth noting that the faster you're driving, the more dangerous potholes can be. If you can't avoid hitting a pothole, reduce your speed before hitting it, being sure to release the brake before striking the pothole. This should help reduce the impact and preserve your ride.
Note that properly inflated tires are less susceptible to damage from potholes than underinflated tires. That's why those regular air checks are a must!
If you do hit a pothole, we recommend immediately having your tires and wheels inspected for any damage. Potholes can bend and/or crack wheels and also cause irreparable damage to tires. This damage may not be noticeable to you immediately, but it can cause tire/wheel failure in the future.
If your tires or wheels are damaged, we've got you covered with our massive inventory of tires, all available at our legendary low prices.
When you purchase your tires and wheels, be sure to buy and book online to get a shorter wait time in-store!
If you have any other questions about conquering those seasonal driving challenges, stop by your nearest store or schedule an appointment, and we'll get you taken care of!