There are several systems that contribute to the safe operation of a vehicle. Regular maintenance is required to keep those systems in proper working order. One of the most important components is the humble tire. Often they don’t command attention until it’s too late.
Proper maintenance can provide the information necessary in determining whether or not something is going on before bad things happen. A tire is constructed from rubber and steel belting. Sometimes the bond between the two can fail and the tire can come apart at the worst possible time. With proper maintenance, though, this problem can be virtually eliminated. Tire pressure should be checked at least once a month and it would be better if it was done once a week. Tires should be rotated on a regular basis so they wear evenly and can be inspected for damage to the rubber and the belting inside. Usual manufacturer recommendations are in the neighborhood of four to six thousand miles in between each tire rotation.
This is an excellent time to take a look at your brakes. Unless you have noticed anything odd about the way they sound or feel when you use them, inspection during your tire rotation should suffice. If anything odd has captured your attention meanwhile then you should take it in to the shop for inspection immediately. If your brakes are in need of replacement, then action is necessary. Don’t put it off!
The best indicator of problems ahead is an alert driver and a regular maintenance schedule with a knowledgeable mechanic that can be trusted. It is still necessary to pay attention to changes in the vehicle’s behavior and the sounds that it makes. When things change, it is time to see what is going on, especially in regards to your tires and brakes.