After more than 80 people died in Ford Explorers equipped with poorly inflated Firestone tires in the late 1990s, Congress enacted the Tread Act requiring auto makers to install tire pressure monitoring systems on all new vehicles. By September 2008 all new vehicles will have these monitoring systems.
Some critics of this system believe that even though the monitors will alert people to dangerously low tire pressure, they fail to warn of minimally low tire pressure which causes the tires to degrade slowly over a period of time. Go to www.sfgate.com for further information regarding potential problems with the monitoring systems.
Did You Know?
Degradation of a tire happens gradually over an extended period of time and can make a tire prone to catastrophic failure leading to a blow out and vehicular crash. In addition to under-inflation, there are environmental factors such as heat which can hasten the aging of tires. Infrequent use is also a factor which means spare tires are especially susceptible as well recreational vehicles, collector cars and other vehicles which are only used occasionally.
In addition, did you know that the new tires you just purchased could actually be “aged” tires? Because structural degradation has to do with a chemical reaction within the components of the tire it may not be visible. The tread could be good and the tire look new. If the tire has been sitting in a showroom for an extended period of time your new tires could be hazardous.
The age of the tire can be determined by checking the tire identification number on the sidewall which begins with the letters “DOT.” The last four digits represent the week and year the tire was manufactured. Newer models will have the tire identification number on the outside sidewall while the identification number on older models will be on the inner sidewall.
For more information on purchasing and maintaining tires — go to www.safercar.gov.
Proper pressure is the most important part of maintaining your tires. Under inflation and/or overloading are major causes of tire failure. A recent NHTSA survey indicates that 30 percent of all cars and light trucks on the road today have at least one tire under inflated by 8 psi or more. Because it is difficult, if not impossible, to tell just by looking at your tires whether they are properly inflated you should invest in an accurate pressure gauge and maintain tire pressure and load limits as labeled on your tires. Inspect your tires monthly to check the overall condition or for signs of irregular wear. Weekly checking is even better.
Tire manufacturers are required by Federal law to place standardized information on the sidewall of all tires to identify the fundamental characteristics of the tire. It also provides a tire identification number for safety certification and in case of a recall. For details on how to read your tire labeling go to www.safercar.gov, click on the Tires tab in the lower left column, and then again in the left column there will be a category called Tire Labeling which is divided into two categories: “Light Trucks” and “Passenger Vehicles.”
