New York Injury Lawyer Blawg

As temperatures rise in the summer, maintaining your vehicle becomes more important to reduce the risk of a New York City car accident. The U.S. Department of Transportation is offering a consumer advisory for motorists to check their tires before traveling. Tread wear and improper tire inflation in extremely hot temperatures could cause a severe accident on U.S. roadways.

The week of June 5-11 is National Tire Safety Week. Our Manhattan car accident attorneys want to remind travelers to routinely check your tire pressure as it will keep you safer and could improve gas mileage as you travel across the state.

As fuel prices jump this summer, remember that properly inflated tires can put pennies in your pockets. U.S. Department of Energy's fueleconomy.gov reports that a fuel-economy rating of 30 miles per gallon and a 35 pound per square inch (PSI) is recommended for a vehicle. A 25-percent loss in tire pressure equates to an 8.8 percent loss in fuel economy or, 2.6 miles per gallon. In other words, tires that aren't properly inflated can decrease gas mileage by .3 percent for every one PSI drop in pressure for all four tires.

Hot temperatures make it even more dangerous for motorists to drive on worn or under-inflated tires. Older tires in hot temperatures are susceptible to heat stress, which causes the tire belt to break when a vehicle is moving. This can cause a driver to lose control or cause rubber debris to fly through the air, making it dangerous for a vehicle driving behind you.

The U.S. Department of Transportation is encouraging motorists to check tire pressure before long trips and to perform routine inspections on your tires throughout the year.

Your vehicle owner's manual will provide information on recommended tire pressure and tread depth, as well as how often to replace tires on your vehicle.

From 2005 to 2009, it is reported that about 116,000 people were injured and another 3,400 were killed in tire-related crashes on U.S. roadways.

Safercar.gov offers the following recommendations to improve tire safety:

-Obtain an accurate tire pressure gauge.

-Every vehicle has tire pressure and vehicle load requirements, which are the leading causes of tire failure. Consult your owner's manual to follow requirements made by your vehicle.

-Perform routine inspections monthly on your vehicle's tires to keep a handle on wear and overall condition.

-30 percent of cars and light trucks have at least one tire that is under-inflated by eight PSI or more. Visual inspections can be misleading, so always use a gauge for an accurate measure.

-Tires should be rotated every 5,000 miles for maximum mileage and symmetrical wear and tear on your tires.

For answers to frequently asked questions related to tire maintenance, visit the Tire Pressure Monitoring System website.

For information on National Tire Safety Week and results of the 2011 Tire Care Awareness Survey, visit betiresmart.org.