Travel Tips for Memorial Day Weekend

Travel tips for Memorial Day Weekend

It is finally starting to feel like summer is around the corner! We could all do without the rain, but at least it isn’t snowing. Plus, with Memorial Day Weekend coming up quickly, many families are looking forward to a mini-vacation. If you are going to be putting on some miles this weekend, take a quick look at the following tips to ensure you are maximizing the life of your tires because we all know tires aren’t cheap!

Before discussing how to properly take care of your tires and ensure your safety, we should probably address if you need new tires altogether. According to New York State Law, your tires must have a tread depth of 2/32nds of an inch. Running bald tires can not only lead a ticket but more importantly hydroplaning and decreasing your ability to stop abruptly. If you think it’s time to retire your treads and trade them in for something new, give us a call!

Assuming your tires have plenty of life left in them, pay attention to what you can do before taking that trip this holiday weekend. Proper tire pressure is the MOST important factor in maintaining your tires for many reasons. First, it can save you money at the gas pump! An underinflated tire forces your car to work harder, you can lose up to a one mile per gallon off your fuel economy.

As I’ve discussed in previous articles, under inflation not only puts resistance on travel but also can lead to many problems including tire blowouts. These blowouts are most likely caused by excessive heat from an overworked tire. A blowout is then followed by a messy situation that may even leave you stranded on the side of the road. Do yourself a favor, make sure your tires are properly inflated before departing from your house. The correct tire pressure for your vehicle can be found in several places: the owner’s manual, the driver’s side door and even the inside of the gas tank door. Another quick tip; do not overinflate in hopes of getting even better gas mileage!

On top of the personal dangers to passengers, improper tire inflation (not enough or too much) can also lead to uneven wear, meaning you will need to buy tires sooner than you had planned. If you detect uneven wear of your tires, also consider an alignment issue. This is easy to test for. While driving, try to determine if your vehicle is pulling to the left or right. If so, you should take your car in for an alignment. It is a very simple, inexpensive fix to what could become a larger issue if not addressed.

Finally, We have probably all heard that it is important to have your tires rotated every now and then. Again, this is to ensure uniform tire wear. And to be more specific, it is recommended to have your tires rotated every 6,000-8,000 miles. As an added piece of information, Anywhere Tire Care includes free rotation to our seasonal customers that switch between winter and summer tires each year.

So to recap, check your tires from uneven wear and proper tire inflation. It only takes a few minutes and can save you lots of time and money in the long run. And enjoy your holiday weekend!!

This article was written by the staff of Anywhere Tire Care, the Capital District’s ONLY “tire shop on wheels.” Anywhere Tire Care specializes in new and used tire installation and balancing wherever it is most convenient for our customers including their home, office or even the local coffee shop! Our number one concern is customer convenience and satisfaction, saving you time and money. Call us at 518-810-5244 or visit us on the web at www.anywheretirecare.com.