Tire care tips for summer travel

JACKSON, Tenn. — It’s National Tire Safety Week and one local tire shop is informing customers on some crucial tips.

Tire safety is something often overlooked when people are traveling for the summer. Due to intense heat and long distances, your tires take on a lot more wear this time of year.

We spoke with the store manager at Discount Tire, Beau Freeman who shared some must-dos before hitting the road.

“Once a month when the tires are cool you want to get your tire air pressure checked, you want to maintain the air pressure at the certain level, you want to measure your tread depth by using a penny and checking the depth of the tire and that will ensure that the tires are safe when it comes to hydroplaning, breaking, and stuff like that,” said Freeman.

To check your tire tread using a penny, insert a penny into your tire tread with Abraham Lincoln’s head facing down into the tread. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head after inserting the penny into the tread then your tire may need replacing because your tread is worn.

Low tread on tires reduces the tire’s ability to grip the road, particularly in wet or snowy conditions, which increases chances of hydroplaning or longer stop distances. It can also increase your chances of having a flat tire or blow out while traveling.

Discount Tire is located on 236 Oil Well Road in north Jackson.

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