News Center

12

How to Avoid a Summer Tire Blowout

posted on
Summer is here! With this season, comes fun in the sun, family vacations, and cookouts every weekend. Unfortunately, summer heat can also bring tire problems like blowouts. Tire blowouts are not only dangerous for you, but also for the vehicles around you. Luckily, there are several precautions you can take as a vehicle owner to help prevent your family from being stranded on the side of the highway with a tire blowout.Summer Tire Blowout
 
Maintain your tires’ air pressure. Your risk of a blowout is substantially higher if you’re cruising around with over or underinflated tires. This is an easy issue to prevent and just requires a little TLC. You’ll want to figure out what your tires’ optimal air pressure is, and get a tire gauge so you can check it regularly (every week or so, ideally). When you notice your tire pressure is getting a bit lower or higher than recommended, adjust as necessary. Voila! 
 
Rotate your tires. Uneven tire wear is a common culprit for tire blowouts any time of the year. So, how do keep your tires from wearing unevenly? It’s simple! Regular tire rotations will help you achieve uniform tire wear all year long. A good rule of thumb is to rotate your tires every 6,000 - 8,000 miles, but you should always check your vehicle’s owner’s manual for specific rotation recommendations. 
 
Replace worn out tires. Even the best cared for tires won’t last forever. As your tires begin to lose tread, their ability to grip the road will be compromised. Luckily, there’s an easy way to check your tread using a penny! Simply place a penny head first into a tread groove and pay close attention to how much of Lincoln’s head is covered by the tread. If you can see all of Lincoln’s head, it’s time to visit your local tire shop for a new set. 
 
Unfortunately, a blowout can’t always be prevented. Knowing how to drive through a tire blowout can help you keep your cool if it ever happens to you. Remember to keep a firm grip on the steering wheel, avoid slamming the brakes, and instead let your car slow down gradually. Once you have slowed to a safe speed, pull your vehicle to the side of the highway and turn on your hazard lights. These tips and tricks will help lessen your chance of a blowout happening, and better prepare you for the unexpected! 
Categories: Tires 101 | View Count: (91) | Return

Visit Our Shop

Contact Us

Phone: (205) 320-7000
Fax:
Address: 2224 3rd Ave South
Birmingham, AL 35233
Powered by Net Driven
Login

Make a Tire or Auto Repair Appointment Today!

We’re glad that you decided to come to AutoTread for your tires and tire repair needs! At AutoTread Mobile Tire Service, customer service has always been at the center of our business and our culture. AutoTread got to where we are today through hard work, a friendly and responsive attitude toward our customers and our innovative mobile tire service truck, offering roadside assistance, tire repair, wheel changes, balancing and tire rotation. We think this is one of the things that makes AutoTread truly unique in Birmingham, AL – bringing the best in tires and tire service straight to you, wherever you are, rather than you trying to figure out the best time to come to us! Give us a try and schedule an appointment to find out why so many customers have turned to us for tires in Birmingham, AL. We’re sure that once you come to AutoTread Mobile Tire Service, you’ll be part of the loyal customer base that we’ve built up over all these years!