As we bid another bone chilling February adieu, we welcome
in the fresh spring air, basketball madness, and Girl Scout cookies of March.
Although the ice and snow have left (fingers crossed) there are still some potential
road discrepancies that drivers need to be conscious of to assert road safety.
We can expect plenty of cloudy days and nightly showers this
month; hence we can expect to combat wet roads. One of the most important things
to be mindful of during the rainy season is the tread and overall condition of
your tires. Be aware of how your car alerts you of tire issues, or whether or
not it does so at all. If your tires look low, you can find the manufacturers
recommended tire pressure for your car on a sticker in the door jam or in your
owner’s manual. If you don’t have any indication, the optimum pressure is
normally between 30-35 psi.
Another imperative thing to be mindful of is the tread of
your tires. Without proper tire tread, your car is much more liable to slide
out of control on slick roads. An easy way to check this is to simply insert a
penny into the groove of your tire with Lincolns head upside down and facing
you. If you can see all of Lincolns head, your tread is dangerously low and
your tires should be replaced for optimum control on the road.
A key note for this season that’s just as important as tire
quality is the effectiveness of your brakes. Working brakes are an imperative
aspect of your car during any season, particularly so when road conditions vary
day to day. Brake wear is considered an
indeterminate science because it varies between different vehicles, driving
styles, and your general road conditions. Your brakes can last up to 70,000
miles, yet could need to be replaced as soon as 25,000 miles. Be nice to your
brakes; gradually come to a stop whenever possible and refrain from holding
your brakes for extended periods of time. If you feel your car jerking or can
hear a squealing sound as your braking, it could be time to have them replaced.