Let’s talk safety

The two things on our vehicles that we take most for granted are wiper blades and tires. Simply taking a few extra steps and a little more time with their maintenance can make a difference to your safety on the road.
Wiper Blades: They’re important to your vision in inclement weather. I recommend buying a good pair of wiper blades that are durable and streak free. The Rain X Latitude and Bosh Icon wiper blades fit this profile. They cost approximately twenty bucks and are well worth it. With regular care and maintenance they will continue to provide you with quality vision during those times of heavy rain, snow, etc…
How about making this your rule of thumb: Instead of watching your dollars go down your tank every time you fill up at the gas station, take the time to clean the dirt off your windshield and run a paper towel down both sides of each wiper blade. You won’t believe the black dirt that comes off. This dirt mixed with rain or snow can smudge your windshield impairing your vision on the road. Alcohol wipes work well to remove the dirt too. You may want to use the wipes on the blades with every car washing. Simply getting into this habit will save you many regrets on that next foggy night!
Also, pay attention to the condition of your wiper blades. When they become cracked and are no longer performing well with regular upkeep, it’s time to change them.
Tires: Regularly checking the air pressure in your tires (use the owner’s manual to find the specific recommended pressure for your vehicle) and the condition of your tires can make a difference between life and death on the road! Air pressure should be checked at least once per month, and pay attention to how your tires look when properly inflated. Look at the sidewall near the ground. There should be a small bulge. The number one reason for tires to blow out is low air pressure causing the sidewalls to overheat and blow! You don’t want that happening going down the road at any speed. When a tire blows you can lose control of your vehicle and end up in a serious accident.
Here is something that many never consider: Take your hand and lay it on the table with your fingers spread out. That area times four (all four tires) is how much contact tires have with the road. That’s it and it’s not a lot. How many times do you walk around your car before driving off to check the condition of the tires? This should be done EVERY DAY! Do all four tires look properly inflated? Is the tread worn? To check the tread take a penny and stick it in the tread (Lincoln’s head first). If any part of Lincoln’s head is covered then the tread is still intact. If you can see all of his head and any part of “In God We Trust” is showing, then it is time to get new tires!
Regular maintenance of wiper blades and tires is detrimental to your safety on the road. Practice these precautionary steps until they become second nature to your driving routine. Good habits like these can save lives!