#3

The only point of contact our cars have with the road is the tires, for this reason, keeping them in good shape should be a priority. The first thing to watch for is the amount of tread they have, and the second is that they have enough air in them.

Tire tread serves several purposes, the first being to grip the road to ensure you have enough traction to stay on it. When your tread is low, wet or icy conditions are likely to send you into the ditch.

There’s also the chance that you run out of tread, which increases the chances of having a blowout. Thankfully, most tires feature built-in wear bars, which are small indicators that sit between the tread patterns. If you notice they’re nearly gone, then it’s time to get a new set of tires.

The second thing tread does is it serves as a channel for water to flow through. Bald tires with limited tread left are more likely to pass over water rather than through it. When this happens, you’re more susceptible to hydroplaning, which results in a loss of traction that can be extremely hazardous.

Then there’s the amount of air you have in each tire. Too much and your tires will be too stiff to conform to the terrain, too little, and you’ll notice a drop in mileage. Be sure to consult your manual for the proper amount, and check the pressure weekly if possible.