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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCheck your air pressure for sure because under- or over-inflated tires do not perform as designed,\u201d says William Estupinan, technical service director for GITI Tire in the Americas (GITI Tire is the worldwide manufacturer of GT Radial tires). \u201cProperly inflated tires are especially important when taking long trips in the summer heat.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Estupinan advises using a good quality pressure gauge and checking your tires \u201ccold\u201d \u2013 before you\u2019ve driven or at least three hours after you\u2019ve driven. Compare the measured psi (pounds by square inch) to the recommended psi level found on the sticker inside the driver\u2019s door or in your vehicle\u2019s owner\u2019s manual. Do not compare to the psi on your tire\u2019s sidewall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf your psi is above the recommended number, release some air with your gauge until you reach the desired amount,\u201d he says. \u201cIf you are below, add air, or let your trusted tire dealer help you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Estupinan recommends checking the air in your tires, including your spare, once a month because tires can lose up to one psi per month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2019s body between your thumb and forefinger. Select a point on your tire where the tread appears the lowest and place Abe\u2019s head into one of the grooves. If any part of Abe\u2019s head is covered by the tread, you\u2019re driving with an acceptable amount of tread \u2013 more than 2\/32 of an inch. Otherwise, see your local GT Radial dealer before you hit the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBeing stuck on the side of the road or even worse is the last thing you want on Memorial Day,\u201d Estupinan notes. \u201cPlease add your tires to your check list.\u201d
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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. \u201cCheck your air pressure for sure because under- or over-inflated tires do not perform … Continue reading A MUST FOR YOUR MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND CHECK LIST<\/span>