Most people tend to ignore their tires, yet your vehicle’s tires are undoubtedly a critical safety component on your vehicle. Where the rubber of your tires meets the road affects the traction, handling, steering, stability, and braking of your vehicle.
If a sudden tire failure occurs there can be very serious consequences, especially if it occurs when operating at high speeds.
- There are nearly 250,000 accidents that occur in the United States per year due to low tire pressure
- About 75% of roadside flats are preceded by a slow leak or under inflation of your tires
- According to a recent survey, America could reduce its fuel consumption by 10 % and save over $2 billion a year by keeping tires properly inflated
- The NHTSA estimates that tire pressure monitoring systems could prevent as many as 79 deaths and 10,365 injuries each year in the United States alone
What is the Effect of Under Inflation of your tires?
There are an estimated 23,000 accidents and 535 fatal accidents annually that involve blowouts or flat tires. Not maintaining proper air pressure in your tires is not only a major safety concern but it can also affect the handling and performance of your car, truck, or SUV.
Is It More Expensive and Time-Consuming to Have Tires Serviced Rather Than Rotated?
It can be more time-consuming, but that is only because it is a very thorough process. Auto technicians use special diagnostic tools to test and recalibrate the sensors of your vehicle any time a tire is moved from one location on the vehicle to another. The sensors must be tested to make sure it is functioning correctly, and they have to be reprogrammed whenever tires are moved from one position to another during rotation. Car manufacturers recommend a sensor service kit be installed every time a tire is serviced. These kits include replacement parts that properly service that sensor. The tire sensors are powered by a battery that usually has a life of 6 to 8 years.
There is a lot that goes into maintaining your vehicle, especially your tires, but keeping up on the maintenance can save you money, and more importantly, it can save you from injuring yourself and others.
