As classes break for the Thanksgiving holiday and students across the country make their way from college campuses back to their hometowns, Cooper Tire & Rubber Co., through its Tread Wisely program, is encouraging young drivers to check their tires before hitting the road. Performing three important tire safety checks – tire pressure, tread depth and overall tire condition – before driving can help students arrive safely back home.
Before taking to the roadways, students should:
1.Check tire pressure
Find the car’s ideal tire pressure listed on the sticker inside the car door, glove box or fuel door, or in the car’s manual. Remove the tire’s valve cap and press a tire gauge firmly onto the valve stem. The end of the tire pressure gauge will pop up and show a reading of the pounds per square inch (PSI) of air pressure in the tires. If the number is lower than the recommended tire pressure, add air and check again. If the reading on the gauge is higher than the pressure recommended for the car, air must be released.
2.Check tread depth
To check tread depth, use the penny test. Insert the edge of a penny into the most worn groove of the tire tread with Lincoln’s head down and facing you. If the top of Honest Abe’s head is covered by tread, meaning the top of his head cannot be seen, the tire tread is in good shape. If the top of his head is visible, the tire needs to be replaced.
3.Assess the overall condition of the tires
Ensure there are no cuts, cracks, punctures or bulges in all four tires on the car. Damaged tires are dangerous and can cause tire failure, shorten the life of the tire and result in loss of air. If any of these are spotted, get the tires checked by a professional before driving on them.
The Tread Wisely program, which includes a free mobile app, provides young drivers with educational videos, showing in two minutes or less how to perform each of these checks. The Tread Wisely app also includes a unique ‘I Got There’ feature that allows young drivers to set a reminder to tell their roommates, friends or parents when they have arrived at their destination.
The Tread Wisely app is free and available for download from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android). More information can be found at www.treadwisely.org.
