Cars are complicated machines which need consistent maintenance and upkeep to stay in working order. The oil must be routinely changed, certain parts need replacing every so often, and occasionally things break. At Richard Schwartz and Associates we advocate safety on the roadways. We understand that a part of safe driving is car maintenance. So what is the one of the most neglected parts of a car? Our experts say it’s the tires.

The tires on a vehicle need just as much attention and care as the oil. Having properly maintained tires can increase your gas mileage, extend the life of your tires, and can even help to prevent a car wreck. There are several things people need to do to maintain their tires.

The first is proper inflation. Proper inflation of your tires keeps the amount of tire connecting with the road consistent and even. The amount of tire in contact with the road is called the tire footprint. Keeping the footprint on all four tires the same size will reduce the amount of wear experienced with normal driving habits, will expand the life of your tires and will give you better control by increasing your traction with the road.

The second thing to do is check your tread consistently. The amount of tread on a tire determines the actual size of the tire footprint. The larger the tire footprint is, the better your grip on the road. Tread wears down naturally over time. If you drive a lot of miles in your vehicle, it would be wise to check your tread once every six months. You can check the depth of your tread with a coin or a tread depth gauge. Either means can be effective.

The third is to make sure the wheels are aligned. Wheel alignment relates directly to the position of the tires under the car and their traction with the ground. A vehicle with wheels not properly aligned not only will have a hard pull on the steering wheel but can also wear down tire tread especially quickly. Having properly aligned wheels will reduce the amount of pull you feel and will also decrease the wearing of the tread.

At Richard Schwartz and Associates of Mississippi we understand that car wrecks happen and people make mistakes. We are here for our clients when they’ve been injured in an accident, and we will be there for you, too. However, we can avoid car wrecks if we drive cautiously and maintain our vehicles properly. Help us make the community a safer place to live today by properly maintaining your vehicle. With your help today, we can make a safer tomorrow.