Question: I know you talk about the importance of tires when it comes to the winter months but I think it’s just as important to talk about it in the spring with rain and wet roads. Thank you.
Answer: It is always a good time to talk about tire safety. Tires must support your vehicle’s weight and grip the road properly. Inspect tires regularly for cuts, cracks, uneven wear, bald spots, bulges and punctures. Always carry a good spare tire and check its pressure often. Tires have less traction on gravel or dirt roads than on concrete or asphalt.
Tires can lose up to 1 PSI of pressure every month. Check your tire pressure often and never drive with under-inflated tires.
- Find your vehicle’s recommended tire pressure on a sticker inside the driver’s door or in the owner’s manual.
- Check tire pressure before driving or at least three hours after driving.
- Insert a pressure gauge into the valve stem on your tire. The gauge will show the measured PSI.
- Compare the measured PSI to the PSI on the sticker inside the driver’s door or in the owner’s manual, not the PSI on the tire’s sidewall.
- If the measured PSI is above the recommended number, let air out until it matches. If below, add air until it reaches the proper number.
- Check your tires often for wear and damage. A tire is illegal if the tread is less than one-sixteenth inch deep.
You can avoid a ticket – and a crash – if you simply buckle up, drive at safe speeds, pay attention and always drive sober. Help us drive Minnesota Toward Zero Deaths.
If you have any questions concerning traffic related laws or issues in Minnesota send your questions to Sgt. Troy Christianson – Minnesota State Patrol at 2900 48th Street NW, Rochester MN 55901-5848. Or reach him at Troy.Christianson@state.mn.us.
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