When summer is heating up the streets, we've got the tips you need to stay cool all summer long.
AIR PRESSURE
Our first tip is to check your air pressure ... and often!
As you probably know, your tires' air pressure plays an important role in safety and performance. Year-round, we recommend checking your air pressure at least once a month and before long trips.
Maintaining the correct air pressure in the summer is particularly important because of the heat. And during the summer months, more drivers take road trips. Extended driving like this makes the air pressure even more important. Traveling to different altitudes can also impact the pressure in your tires.
When checking your tire pressure, check it at the coldest time of day, ideally before doing any driving. Tires heat up as they are driven, and because of tire pressure's relationship with temperature, this can lead to an inaccurate reading on a tire gauge.
TREAD DEPTH
Up next is your tread depth. Your tire tread depth is a critical aspect of safe tire performance during summertime (and all year long).
Tread depth plays a vital role in traction and handling, making it very important that you regularly check the tread depth of your tires. Like your tires' air pressure, we recommend checking the tread depth once a month and before long trips.
If you don't have a tread depth gauge, you can use the wear bar indicators built into most tires or even the "penny test" to see how much tread your tires have left. You can also swing by your nearest America's Tire store, and we'll check your tread depth (and air pressure) free of charge.
CHECK THE SPARE TIRE
Few things put a halt to a road trip as quickly as a flat tire with no spare to replace it. Whenever you take the time to inspect your tires' tread and check your air pressure, it is a good idea to check your spare as well.
Especially before long road trips, check the tread, air pressure, and age of your spare, to ensure it can function if needed. Learn more about spare tire maintenance.
VEHICLE LOADING AND OVERLOADING
Finally, be sure not to overload your vehicle and its tires. Overloading your vehicle has almost the same impact on your tires as driving on them when they're underinflated.
It leads to poor handling response and excessive heat buildup. Excessive heat buildup can result in tire failure.
If you're loading up your vehicle for a road trip, check the manufacturer's specifications for load-carrying capacity. The manufacturer information can typically be found with the tire inflation information on the driver's door panel, in the glove box, or in the owner's manual.
If you're on the hunt for a new set of rubber before you take to the streets this summer, be sure tobuy and book online to get a shorter wait time in-store!
If you have any questions about conquering those summer driving challenges, stop by your nearest store or schedule an appointment, and we'll get you taken care of!