Hastings & Hastings Speaks on Vehicle Safety and Tire Maintenance
Phoenix, AZ, May 9, 2016 (Newswire.com) - With summer approaching, tire maintenance becomes an increasingly important aspect of vehicle safety. Throughout the year, evidence of tire failure can be seen everywhere. Broken, shredded, torn up, black piles of rubber litter streets and highways along every city across Arizona. Reminders of tire failures past. Tire failure is one of the leading causes of accidents. It is also one of the most avoidable. Hastings and Hastings offer advice.
Blowouts are among the most dangerous forms of tire failure. Blowouts typically occur because a tire is underinflated. When a tire is underinflated, patterns of wear begin to develop in the exterior of the tire. When the tire is exposed to rugged road conditions or extreme heat, these worn areas can tear, resulting in a sudden release of air from the inside of the tire. This causes the tire to explode.
Several other factors can contribute to tire failure. Overloading a car with heavy cargo can place a strain on a tire. If that tire is already worn, it could give way. Even new, pristine tires can fail under extreme conditions. For this reason, it is important to stay mindful when driving, particularly during the summer.
In the event that tire failure does occur, there are steps that drivers can take to avoid an accident. It is important that drivers avoid slamming on the breaks. Rather, they should gradually slow down while removing themselves from traffic before coming to a complete stop. If the speed of the vehicle drops dramatically, it is possible to lose control of the car. If that occurs, drivers should gently counter steer.
The best way to prevent tire blowouts is by keeping tires properly inflated. Drivers should check their tire pressure on a regular basis. If it drops below PSI recommended by the manufacturer, they should inflate it at the earliest possible convenience.
“Summer is a particularly common time for blowouts to occur. Asphalt can reach up to 200 degrees in the summertime, and there is no way for your tires to escape. You can run under some shade and enjoy a lemonade or go inside and enjoy the air conditioning; your tires don’t have that option. I always advise that individuals pay extra attention to tire maintenance during the summer months,” said David Hastings, the founder of Hastings & Hastings.
Source: Hastings & Hastings
