If you want to avoid a potentially dangerous flat tire or blowout while you’re going down the road, there are three factors that you’ll need to keep an eye on when examining your tires:
- Tire pressure
- Tread conditions
- Load weights
1. Check Your Tire Pressure
You should check your tire pressure once a month if you can. Keep a tire gauge in your glove box next to your proof of insurance. The best time to check tire pressure is in the morning since tires need to be unused for at least three hours for an accurate reading. Another good idea is to always check your tire pressure before long journeys if the tires are more than two years old.
2. Check Your Tire Treads
The best way to determine the condition of your tire treads is the simple quarter test. All you have to do is stick a quarter into one of the grooves. If part of Washington’s head is covered, then your tires are fine. If the whole head’s exposed, then it’s time to look at new tires. Like a pressure check, this should be done regularly if the tires are over two years old.
Another thing to look for is uneven treading. If the tread is deeper in the middle, that can mean over-inflation. Likewise, a deeper tread on the edge means under-inflation. You should also take the time to remove any foreign objects from your treading such as stones and glass shards.
3. Check Your Weight
If you need to carry a heavy load, you should make sure that it won’t exceed your truck’s maximum recommendation. This information can be found in your vehicle’s owner’s manual. If you need to hitch a trailer, some of the trailer’s weight will transfer to the truck itself.
If, after all of this, you’re in the need for new tires, then Truckin Thunder can help you find the right tires for your truck. We also provide a variety of aftermarket products that will keep your truck performing at its full potential. Contact us today for more information.