When was the last time you checked your tire pressures? Ideally, you should check your tires daily, but if that is unrealistic, aim for once a week.
Crouching down beside a wheel with a tire gauge also allows you to check the wheel nuts have not come loose and check how the tire is wearing. It takes seconds and could save your life.
Here are some great reasons to check now:
It will save you money
This is perhaps the least important reason, but it’s a great incentive. Improperly inflated tires wear unevenly, so you need to replace them sooner.
It reduces the chance of a blowout
This is even more crucial during the heat of summer when road surfaces can cause tires to overheat. Underinflated tires have more surface in contact with the road, so they can soon get so hot that they explode. At best, you’ll need to buy a new tire. At worst, it could send you careering into the path of another vehicle, especially if traveling at speed.
It improves grip
As you go around a corner or brake hard, you need your tires to hold the road. If they have too much air, they do not have enough rubber in contact with the asphalt to do so. If they have too little air, they could squelch sideways.
If another driver crossed the lane lines on a bend and hit you, there’s a good chance they had not maintained their tires. Seeking legal help to show why a crash was their fault can help you to get the compensation you need.