Making sure your tires are properly inflated is always important, but is especially critical for summer travel because heat is enemy number 1 for tires.

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA, USA, May 21, 2015 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Going through your Memorial Day check list? Suntan lotion . . . check. Clean the cooler . . . check. The experts at GT Radial suggest you add one more item to the list . . . your tires.

“Without question your tires need to be on your summer travel check list,” said David Shelton, marketing director for Giti Tire (USA) Ltd., which markets and sells GT Radial tires in North America. “Making sure your tires are properly inflated is always important, but is especially critical for summer travel because heat is enemy number 1 for tires.”

Shelton said under-inflated tires flex more as you travel down the road which leads to increased heat buildup; this can cause a tire to fail, or at the very least, not perform as well and wear out faster.

“Under-inflated tires also increase fuel consumption,” Shelton noted. “With most people trying to stretch their vacation dollar as far as possible, it doesn’t make sense to unnecessarily waste money on gas.”

He said over-inflated tires can also cause problems in terms of reduced wet performance, reduced shock absorption, suspension wear and vulnerability to cutting and curb impacts.

Shelton advises using a good quality air pressure gauge and checking your tires “cold” – before you’ve driven or at least three hours after you’ve driven. Compare the measured psi (pounds per square inch) to the recommended psi level found on the sticker inside the driver’s door or in your vehicle’s owner’s manual. Do not compare to the psi on your tire’s sidewall, which is the maximum amount for your tires, not the optimum. Also, don’t forget to check the air pressure in your spare tire.

In addition to air pressure, Shelton recommends checking for tire wear and damage problems. Most tires have Tread Wear Indicators (TWI), bars located in the tread grooves. These bars of hard rubber are normally invisible but appear across treads that have been worn down to 2/132nds of an inch of the surface of the tire (the legal limit in most states). If these indicators appear in two or three different places, replace the tire.

If your tires don't show these indicators and you think that they may be worn below legal tolerances, place a Lincoln penny head-down in the groove between the treads. If you can see the top of Lincoln's head, your tire probably needs to be replaced. Also check your tires for any abnormalities, Shelton advises. For instance, if you see a bulge or bubble on the sidewall you could have a serious problem and need to see your tire dealer immediately.

“Being stuck on the side of the road or even worse is the last thing you want on the Memorial Day weekend,” Shelton said. “Please add tires to your check list before hitting the road.”

Visit the GT Radial website for more tire maintenance tips.

Giti Tire Group, headquartered in Singapore, has been in the tire business since 1951. Giti Tire operates 8 manufacturing plants and produces a broad range of tire products, serving major original equipment vehicle manufacturers, auto-service outlets, tire dealers and consumers in more than 130 countries worldwide.

GITI Tire (USA) Ltd., based in Rancho Cucamonga, California, is the sales, marketing, and distribution company for North America. It markets and sells a family of brands: GT Radial, Primewell, Dextero, and Runway tires for high performance vehicles, passenger, SUV, light truck, and medium trucks through national retailers, independent retailers and distributors across the United States and Canada. For more information, please visit www.giti.com.

john taylor
Giti Tire (USA) Ltd.
6154773099
email us here

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