A MUST FOR YOUR MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND CHECK LIST
Going through your Memorial Day check list? Suntan lotion . . . check. Clean the cooler . . . check. The engineers at GT Radial suggest you add one more very important item to the list . . . your tires.
“Check your air pressure for sure because under- or over-inflated tires do not perform as designed,” says William Estupinan, technical service director for GITI Tire in the Americas (GITI Tire is the worldwide manufacturer of GT Radial tires). “Properly inflated tires are especially important when taking long trips in the summer heat.”
Estupinan advises using a good quality 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 by 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.
“If your psi is above the recommended number, release some air with your gauge until you reach the desired amount,” he says. “If you are below, add air, or let your trusted tire dealer help you.”
Estupinan recommends checking the air in your tires, including your spare, once a month because tires can lose up to one psi per month.
Estupinan also recommends checking for wear and damage problems. The penny test is a tried and true method for evaluating tire wear. Take a penny and hold Abe’s body between your thumb and forefinger. Select a point on your tire where the tread appears the lowest and place Abe’s head into one of the grooves. If any part of Abe’s head is covered by the tread, you’re driving with an acceptable amount of tread – more than 2/32 of an inch. Otherwise, see your local GT Radial dealer before you hit the road.
Also check your tires for any abnormalities, he says. For instance, if you see a bulge or bubble on the sidewall you could have a serious problem and need to see your dealer immediately.
“Being stuck on the side of the road or even worse is the last thing you want on Memorial Day,” Estupinan notes. “Please add your tires to your check list.”
