June 24, 2016
Dear Cathy:
My sister is single and makes very little money. I had told her several times that she should not drive around town with bald tires on her vehicle, so the unthinkable finally happened.
Dear Cathy:
My sister is single and makes very little money. I had told her several times that she should not drive around town with bald tires on her vehicle, so the unthinkable finally happened.
Her car tire blew out and she had an accident. She was lucky to survive her ordeal and her kids were not in the car at the time but what do women and men need to know about tires on a vehicle. Car Tire Knowledge, Alabama
Dear Car Tire Knowledge:
It’s unfortunate but many women today, especially single women living on very low budgets, continue to drive around on bald tires despite the danger it puts them in. These tires are especially dangerous when it is raining.
Dear Car Tire Knowledge:
It’s unfortunate but many women today, especially single women living on very low budgets, continue to drive around on bald tires despite the danger it puts them in. These tires are especially dangerous when it is raining.
You have to keep car tires in good shape. Nothing is easier about auto maintenance than keeping your tires in top shape. It is so easy to do, in fact, however, it's neglected most of the time.
There are two things you can do to avoid most of the problems associated with tires: 1) Keep tires properly inflated, and 2) Rotated.
Many gas stations have an air pump. So do good-old-fashioned service stations and many do-it-yourself car washes, too. Some air pumps are free to use; the rest cost up to one dollar. Either way, the cost is dirt cheap compared to replacing a tire worn out from improper inflation.
Some of the air pumps available for the car owner’s use have built-in pressure gauges, allowing you to pump and check the pressure, and some pumps don’t. Or you can go to an auto parts stores and purchase a good quality pressure gauge, and keep it in the glove compartment. It should only cost around $8.00.
For normal use, tire pressure is simple. Keep the tire inflated according to the specifications stamped on the sidewall – 32 PSI means 32 pounds per square inch, and that’s how the pressure gauge measures the pressure, no conversions necessary.
Underinflated tires are arguably the most common problem on tires. Over time tires will leak a little air. When the weather turns from hot to cold, tire pressure decreases. Underinflated tires present blowout possibilities, control problems, and reduced gas mileage.
By the time a tire “looks” low on pressure, it may be only half inflated. By then, you have become the gas station’s best customer and a potential hazard on the road. If you know of a service station that offers a free tire-pressure check when you get gas there, it might be worth the few extra cents a gallon of gasoline to fill up there once in a while.
Tire rotation prolongs the life of a set of tires by making them wear down evenly. It also provides an extra measure of safety by putting a mechanic’s eye close to possible tire, brake, and other problems on a regular basis.
To learn more about car maintenance read “A Woman’s Guide To Buying A New or Used Vehicle: Everyday Secrets You Should Know (Part II)" at http://www.AngelsPress.com, available as an e-book but coming soon as a paperback.
Many gas stations have an air pump. So do good-old-fashioned service stations and many do-it-yourself car washes, too. Some air pumps are free to use; the rest cost up to one dollar. Either way, the cost is dirt cheap compared to replacing a tire worn out from improper inflation.
Some of the air pumps available for the car owner’s use have built-in pressure gauges, allowing you to pump and check the pressure, and some pumps don’t. Or you can go to an auto parts stores and purchase a good quality pressure gauge, and keep it in the glove compartment. It should only cost around $8.00.
For normal use, tire pressure is simple. Keep the tire inflated according to the specifications stamped on the sidewall – 32 PSI means 32 pounds per square inch, and that’s how the pressure gauge measures the pressure, no conversions necessary.
Underinflated tires are arguably the most common problem on tires. Over time tires will leak a little air. When the weather turns from hot to cold, tire pressure decreases. Underinflated tires present blowout possibilities, control problems, and reduced gas mileage.
By the time a tire “looks” low on pressure, it may be only half inflated. By then, you have become the gas station’s best customer and a potential hazard on the road. If you know of a service station that offers a free tire-pressure check when you get gas there, it might be worth the few extra cents a gallon of gasoline to fill up there once in a while.
Tire rotation prolongs the life of a set of tires by making them wear down evenly. It also provides an extra measure of safety by putting a mechanic’s eye close to possible tire, brake, and other problems on a regular basis.
To learn more about car maintenance read “A Woman’s Guide To Buying A New or Used Vehicle: Everyday Secrets You Should Know (Part II)" at http://www.AngelsPress.com, available as an e-book but coming soon as a paperback.
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