What Wisconsin Motorists Need To Know About Tires

The Milwaukee attorneys of Hupy & Abraham care about your safety. Working daily on serious Wisconsin and Illinois car, truck and motorcycle accident cases, we see the pain and suffering inflicted on victims of the reckless or negligent behavior of other drivers. Motorists need to adopt a defensive driving attitude, and make sure they themselves do not make mistakes that could put their and other lives in danger.

One important step to limit the risk of a serious car crash is to check your tires and make sure they are always in top shape. You should:

• Check the tires' pressure at least once a month and always before departing on a long trip. Pressure should be tested when the tires are cold, and you can do it with the cheap pressure gauge you should always keep in your car;
• Know the recommended front and rear tire pressure and, at the gas station, inflate or deflate each tire to that pressure;
• Look at the tread on each tire and have the tire replaced if the tread is less than 1/16^th inch;
• Check your tires for irregular wear and for damage (cuts and cracks). It is best to also look closely at the wheels to see if there is no impact damage;
• If your steering wheel vibrates, and the vibration increases with speed, it means your wheels are not balanced. If you notice, on a straight road, that your vehicle tends to drift to the right or to the left your wheels need to be aligned;
• When you go to a reputable car service station to have your tires replaced, ask their advice on: tire rotation (changing the position of the tires), tire replacement (all four or only two), tire types and dimensions, radial or bias-ply tires, etc. Unless you have become a tire specialist and know why you are doing it, do not mix tire types and sizes.
• Do not leave the tire shop without having all wheels balanced and aligned.

Hupy & Abraham take your safety very seriously. If you have been hurt in a car accident, contact Hupy & Abraham, S.C. today at 800-800-5676 (toll-free) or 414-223-4800 (local) for a free evaluation of your case, or send us an e-mail with your questions.