2 weeks Ago By Forrest McFarland
DRIVERS may be at risk of deadly crashes if an essential part hidden in their trunk is expired. Long-time car owners might not realize the expiration date is hidden in plain sight. Everyone knows a spare tire is essential to keep moving after getting a rogue flat mile from the nearest mechanic .
However, drivers may not realize that the same car part designed to keep them out of trouble could put their lives at risk. Just like all tires, a spare actually has an expiration date, according to Consumer Reports. A normal tire is usually replaced years before it expires, but wheels hidden in the trunk can easily slip into the danger zone if they aren't checked regularly.
read more on cars Drivers can check whether a tire has expired by checking the DOT number on the sidewall. The last two numbers indicate the year it was made. If it's been 10 years since the tire was manufactured, it's time to get a replacement.
Replacing the tires can be annoying, but safety experts say it's the best solution in case of a flat. Most read in Motors Drivers are also warned to double check they own a spare tire, as 60% of new cars are sold without them. "In an effort from the manufacturers to lower production costs and reduce weight for fuel economy, they're just leaving the spare tire out," Consumer Reports auto expert Ryan Pszczolkowski told CBS affiliate WJAX .
"So don't ever assume you just have a spare tire." TIRE MAINTENANCE TIPS Not only should spares be replaced, but they should be refilled as often as regular tires. Tire maintenance is essential to road safety.
In 2022, 562 people died in tire-related crashes, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported. These crashes could have been caused by drivers not having enough air in their tires, not getting their tires rotated, or allowing the tread to wear out. It's true that a new set of tires is expensive, but keeping fresh wheels on your car could actually save on fuel costs.
Properly inflated tires can save drivers as much as 11 cents per gallon, according to the NHTSA. Plus, if a tire is inflated regularly, its lifespan will extend by 4,700 miles. Read More on The US Sun Drivers also might not know there are secret symbols that indicate whether a tire is ready for winter driving.
Plus, changing a tire at the exact right time in the summer can save you hundreds of dollars. As a driver, it's important to be able to identify potentially dangerous problems with tires and how to spot precursors. Here's what to look for: Regularly examine the tread depth of the tire.
It is a great way to understand how much life there is in a tire before it needs to be replaced. You can use an upside-down quarter or a penny to check the depth. If the president's head can be fully seen, start saving for new tires.
Examine the sidewall for cracks or bubbles, especially after colliding with a curb or median. A bubble may not show up immediately, so it's important to keep an eye on it for a while before dismissing it. When inflating a tire with a digital pressure reader, always zero it out before plugging it into the valve to ensure previous data is erased.
Have your tires regularly balanced and rotated at the proper intervals, as tire inspections are a part of the service. Understand the warranty (if any) that came with the tires. Many times new tires will have a warranty for certain types of damage, and that can help get a damaged tire replaced for free or at a discount.
Learn to read the sidewall of a tire. Even if the tread is within spec, a tire can still be dangerous if it's too old. Source: Columbus Nissan.
