National Tire Safety Week

PEKIN, Ill.––This week is National Tire Safety Week! With the unofficial kick-off of summer that Memorial Day represents, vacation time and road trips might be on the mind. Take some time this week to make sure your vehicle’s tires are up for anything this summer. Don’t get stranded or left in a less than desirable situation due to unchecked tires! While some tire tragedies are simply caused by an accident, many can be prevented by following these simple maintenance tips, most of which can be done at home.

Check your tire pressure

You should know the correct tire pressure for your vehicle and check it at least once a month. The correct pounds/square inch (psi) can be found on a sticker somewhere along inside of your driver side door. Generally, most vehicles should be kept around 30 psi. You can purchase an inexpensive tire pressure gauge at a local hardware or car care store and keep it in your car. Under inflated tires can cause uneven wear and become a safety hazard if left unchecked.

Check your tire tread

Many people rely on the “penny check” to tell them if their tires are beginning to wear out. If you stick a penny in between the tire tread with Lincoln’s head facing down, and you can see all of Lincoln’s head above the tread then it’s definitely time for new tires. Driving on tires that are too worn can be extremely dangerous, putting you at higher risk of sliding on the road in wet conditions. Worn tires are also more likely to become flat in the case of potholes or sharp objects.

Have your tires balanced, rotated and aligned

You can’t balance, rotate, or align your tires without the proper equipment, so it’s important to bring your vehicle in for these routine maintenance checks. Tires should be rotated every 5,000 to 7,000 miles to avoid uneven wear. You may notice that your steering wheel pulls to one side or vibrates while you’re driving. If this is the case, your tires probably need to be aligned or balanced. If tires are not aligned and balanced correctly, uneven wear can also occur. If you are allowing your tires to wear unevenly, you will find that you need to replace them more often, causing you to spend more money more often.

Always keep a spare tire and tools in your car

Accidents happen even when you do everything you can to avoid them. It’s important to be prepared in case of an emergency. Keep a properly inflated spare tire in your vehicle at all times, as well as the equipment needed to change a tire. You should also always have your insurance card and phone number to a roadside assistance service in the case that you cannot fix the problem yourself.

We hope that you take some time out of this National Tire Safety Week to make sure your tires are in good condition! If you’re having any trouble or think you need an alignment check, come down to the Velde Ford Pekin today or schedule an appointment online. Our ASE Certified technicians would be happy to make sure your vehicle is running smoothly this summer.

If you’re looking for a new ride this summer, we want to help you decide between buying and leasing. Our new Buying vs. Leasing page breaks down the pros and cons of each option. Be sure to check out our How to buy and How to Lease pages for more information on how each process works.

At Velde Ford, we're committed to providing our customers with an unbeatable level of service and a great car buying experience. Stop by the dealership located at 2200 North 8th Street, Pekin, IL 61554 or visit our website: VeldeFordPekin.com for more information.

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