Few people realize that the tires on their car are one of the most important components of their vehicle. It’s where “the rubber meets the road,” so to speak…that it, your tires are the connection between your vehicle and the highway. If not cared for properly, tires could fail. Tire failure is one cause of many serious San Antonio car wrecks. And, tire care is most important during the hot Texas summers.

The following tips from the San Antonio car accident lawyers at our Texas injury law firm will help you to care for and maintain your tires, and could help you avoid a serious auto accident

  1. Check Your Tire’s Tread. Worn tread, especially with exposed steel belting, can cause tires to blow out, causing drivers to lose control of their vehicle, which often times leads to a serious car accident. Additionally, worn tires can make it difficult to control a car, especially when braking hard, even on dry surfaces. I recommend to my clients a visual inspection of both the inside of the tire tread, as well as the outside. Many tire service stations, such as Discount Tire, will perform a free tire inspection. I recommend having your tires inspected at the start of each summer, because the south Texas heat during the summer months can put added strain on already worn tires.
  2. Maintain Proper Air Pressure. It’s no secret that tires rely on air to keep them working properly, but few people realize how important maintaining the proper air pressure can be. In fact, the loss of just 1 or 2 lbs. of air pressure can significantly impact a tire’s performance, and can also decrease your gas mileage (MPG). Many vehicles are now equipped with tire pressure monitoring systems. If your vehicle is so equipped, don’t ignore low-pressure signals. If your vehicle is not so equipped, it’s a good idea to check the air pressure of your tires each time you put gas in your vehicle. Getting into this habit will help you get more life out of your tires, and can also help you avoid a serious car wreck. There are many tire service providers who will check your tire pressure, and add air to your tires free of charge. Maintaining proper air pressure in your tires is one of the most proactive things you can do to prevent tire failure, and avoid a serious car wreck this summer.
  3. Don’t Overload Your Tires. For most Americans, summertime means beach, BBQs, and yes… road trips! But, as you pack your bags and hit the open road this summer, make sure not to overload your vehicle. Putting too much weight in your vehicle can often overload your tires, causing them to lose tire pressure, or break steel belts inside of the tire. Broken steel belts can cause your vehicle to pull to one side, and may even lead to tire failure – on of the leading causes of serious car accidents in San Antonio and south Texas during summer months. We recommend checking your owner’s manual for your vehicle’s load limits, and make sure not to exceed recommended loads.