Long before the backyard rinks thaw and the snow banks melt, eager Canadian drivers begin planning their spring road trips. Garage doors will soon open, ready to tackle the warm weather and the open road.
Here in southern Ontario we are still very much in the Polar Vortex that our Canadian winter season has brought us this year. Although it is not time to put the summer tires back on our vehicles, the Clarke Law team wants to remind drivers that your tires can never be assessed too often. This being said, before you leap for joy when it is time to say goodbye to winter, ensure that your summer tires are assessed before putting them on the road.
Having your tires assessed on a regular basis can prevent unnecessary and catastrophic accidents due to unexpected tire issues on the road. An unexpected tire blow out can not only put yourself and others in danger physically, but can also put you at risk of a lawsuit after the accident.
To ensure that your vehicle is road safe, it is important to outfit your vehicle with the proper tires and have them assessed regularly.
In order to ensure that your tires are appropriate for your vehicle, it is important to choose tires that suit your vehicle style and your driving needs. If you don’t know what tire is appropriate for you and your vehicle, here is a guideline to what may work for you. *Remember it is always best to speak with a tire expert when purchasing your tires to ensure your making the right decision.
Commuters:
If you drive everyday to and from work, a high performance, all-season tire with center rib block and multi-sipe design could be the right choice for you this spring. These types of tires provide excellent traction on a rain-soaked or dry road, which will keep your commute safe.
Family Drivers:
Drivers who are driving larger vehicles with multiple people should look for high-quality and dependable tires to keep everyone on the road and in their vehicle safe. High-quality and dependable tires guarantee longer tread wear, optimal traction and the low noise levels needed for a family vehicle.
Road Warriors:
Tires for a “road warrior” (someone who is driving a sport vehicle) need to be ultra-high performance. Ultra-high performance tires allow for drivers to have superior handling on the roads.
In addition to ensuring that you have the right tire for your vehicle needs, it is important to have your tires assessed regularly to ensure that you’re keeping the roads safe and avoiding potential lawsuits. Just as our feet get sore after walking long distances, the tires on our vehicles get worn down a bit each time we drive. It is inevitable that our tires will wear out overtime.
Having your tires assessed by a mechanic is the best way to ensure that they are not worn out however, if you want to assess your tires more regularly there are certain things you can look for.
- Tread. The tread on your tires should never fall lower that 1/16 of an inch (1.6 millimeters) in depth. If your tires are below this depth it means that your tires will not be safe on the roads and you should replace them.
- Cracks in the sidewall. Cracks in the sidewall are another indication that your tires are no longer safe, have a leak in them, or are close to blowing out. To check for cracks in your sidewall you want to check to see if there are any grooves that are distinct enough to be noticeable to the naked eye. If you notice these grooves or cracks, it is time to replace your tires.
- Bulges. Bulges are another sign that your tires are worn out. A bulging tire means that the exterior surface is weakening. This bulging means that you could experience an unexpected tire pop while on the road and cause a serious accident at anytime.