Purchasing the correct tires for your vehicle can have a huge impact on increasing your safety when driving. There are multiple types of tires, and the type of tire that you should buy varies on where you live, and what type of weather you usually drive in. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are four main types of tires that you can buy, including all-season tires, winter tires, summer tires, and all-terrain tires. All-season tires can handle a variety of road conditions, and they also have some mud and snow capabilities. Winter tires are more effective on vehicles in the snow. Summer tires are designed for warm weather, and are not intended for cars operating in temperatures below freezing, or on snow and ice. Lastly, all-terrain tires are typically used on four-wheel drive vehicles, and they have capabilities for on-road and off-road driving.
As reported by the NHTSA, most tires are rated by the U.S. government on treadwear, traction performance, and temperature. Treadwear grades tell you how long the tread should last, the traction grade indicates the ability to allow a car to stop on a wet surface in a shorter distance, and the temperature grades estimate how well the tire resists heat. Michigan consumers can find the car manufacturer's recommended tire size and type in the owner's manual. In some cases, this information is located on the edge of the driver's side door.
“The time you spend checking your tires is minimal compared to the safety consequences of tire failure” - NHTSA
The only thing between a driver's vehicle and the road is your tires. It is extremely important to spend the time researching what tires to buy. As stated by the NHTSA, “The time you spend checking your tires is minimal compared to the safety consequences of tire failure.” In addition to this, the NHTSA conducted a crash causation survey, which found that there was an issue with a tire before the crash in 1 of 11 situations. These issues included tread separations, blowouts, and under-inflation. Everything considered, it is definitely worth the time to buy the correct tires and frequently check them, as this can possibly prevent motor vehicle accidents.
If you have been injured in a car crash, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our attorneys are highly experienced in dealing with the ins and out of car accidents. We will work to ensure you obtain all benefits you are entitled to under Michigan law. Call us today at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation.