Tire safety is of paramount importance in today’s age when commutes are longer, people travel more often, cars can move at higher speeds, and there is a general ignorance about basic road safety rules. The objective of this car tire safety checklist is to inform readers about basic tire safety tips and maintenance in order to ensure that no untoward incident takes place. This goes a long way in ensuring that the car remains stable and that the tires have a longer life. This also helps you save money.

Let’s look at three key tips that should feature on every driver’s car tire safety checklist.

• Always replace the spare

You should replace your spare after a certain period of time. It is inconsequential whether or not you use it. Remember that air quality, temperature, and pressure do act on the tire even if it is merely sitting in your cargo area. These forces may lead to the development of cracks and tears in the tire and the rubber may also lose its elasticity. This leads to the spare tire being useless and defeating its very purpose of being there. It is for this very reason that all tires come with the manufacturer’s warranty which only covers a certain period. Beyond that period, it is up to you to replace the tire in order to ensure the spare will always come in handy.

• Drive carefully

This might sound like a driving tip and you may feel it does not belong on a car tire safety checklist but the truth is, it does. One of the biggest threats to your tires is any kind of erratic driving. Driving too fast or braking too often and speeding up and slowing down in quick succession puts a lot of strain on your tires. The worst kind of strain occurs when you brake suddenly as that one sharp jolt may rob away days and weeks from the shelf life of the car tires.

What is the solution? The answer lies in being careful. Try to avoid taking those sharp turns and do not be in such a hurry when you are leaving the parking lot that you tend to hit the curb. The best way to look after your tires is to ensure that you always follow road rules and get your tires inspected regularly. This part of it, at least, is completely in your hands.

• Check the age of the tire

Finally, checking the age of the tire is very important. The age of the tire can be seen by checking the lower sidewall of the tire wherein the word “DOT” will be followed by a particular number indicating the week and year of the tire being manufactured. Most automobile makers recommend that you replace your vehicle tires irrespective of wear after a period of six years. If the tires are older than that, you should get them replaced no matter what.