It can happen to anyone. You’re driving along on the road and unexpectedly you hit a deep pothole, bump the curb, or run over a nail, and suddenly you are faced with tire blowout. You try to steer through it and pull off the road without losing control. Unfortunately, not everyone escapes collision when a tire blows out – and not everyone escapes injury.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates around 400 fatalities every year may be attributed to tire failure. Tire blowouts are said to cause tens of thousands of collisions annually. That’s why it’s vital to check your tires regularly and replace them when warranted to help prevent an unexpected breakdown or even a devastating collision.
Not only does replacing your tires regularly help avoid breakdowns and crashes, according to the NHTSA, tires in good condition also help improve vehicle handling and fuel economy.
Take note of manufacturers recommendation for safety
While guidelines for vehicles and tires may vary, most vehicle manufacturers recommend tires be replaced every six years, regardless of how many miles have been driven on them. Be sure to check your owner’s manual for specific recommendations.
While it might be tempting to keep old tires that otherwise look fine to the eye, be aware of the possibility of dry rot. Even in storage, tires can degrade over time as the oils and chemicals in the rubber compound break down or evaporate as the result of UV exposure. Tires in warm climates and coastal areas also have a reduced life span. Reduced flexibility can lead to cracking, which can lead to tire failure. It’s very dangerous when the tread begins to separate from the tire and can lead to loss of vehicle control.
Complete regular safety checks
It only takes a few minutes each month to check the condition of your tires. While tire life is often dependent on the tire manufacturer and the environment in which they are used, there are general steps the NHTSA recommends you follow every month to ensure safety:
- Check the tire pressure of all four tires, including the spare
- Inspect tires for uneven wear patterns on the tread
- Check for cracks, foreign objects, or other signs of wear or trauma
- Remove bits of glass and other foreign objects wedged in the tread
- Make sure your tire valves have valve caps
- Check the tire information placard or owner’s manual for the maximum recommended load for the vehicle
- If you are towing a trailer, remember that some of the weight of the loaded trailer is transferred to the towing vehicle
How do I check my tires for safety?
Tires have built-in treadwear indicators that signify when it is time to replace your tires. Here are some helpful hints from the NHTSA on how to check your tire for uneven wear or worn treads:
- Check out the raised sections spaced intermittently in the bottom of the tread grooves known as the treadwear indicators. You know it’s time to replace your tires when they appear even with the outside of the tread.
- You can also check your wear by inserting a Lincoln penny (head pointing down) into the tread. You will know it’s time to replace your tires if the tread doesn’t cover Lincoln’s head.
If you need any work done, or existing damage repaired, contact the Collision Center of Andover at (316) 733-9310, and we will get you back on the road.
The Do’s and Don’ts Following a Vehicle Accident
Auto accidents can be scary – even the smallest fender bender can be stressful. In addition to the inconvenience of a car accident, you will probably have to deal with auto body repair, liability issues, perhaps even a traffic citation. Maybe your vehicle is not drivable or perhaps you’re stranded by the side of the road. And worst case scenario, perhaps you or someone you love has been injured and needs medical assistance. You need to know how to be prepared to calmly and properly handle the situation.
After a Car Accident Checklist
Do:
Don’t:
Information to gather immediately following a car accident:
Document the car accident scene with photographs of the following:
If you need any work done after a car accident, or existing damage repaired, contact the Collision Center of Andover, a trusted name in auto body repair all around the Wichita area, at (316) 733-9310, and we will get you back on the road.
photo credit: Donald Lee Pardue via photopin cc
Top 5 Common Causes of Vehicle Fires
There has been a lot of coverage in the news regarding vehicle design flaws as many of them can lead to unexpected fire. When the auto manufacturers become aware of such design flaws, they typically issue a recall so all owners can be notified of the possible danger and get the vehicle fixed (for free). If you receive a notice or hear about a possible recall, it’s important you act immediately and contact your local dealer for assistance.
Your electrical system is one of the most common causes of vehicle fires. A standard car battery’s charging cycles can cause hydrogen gas to build up on the engine bay and the electrical current of the battery can produce sparks along with faulty or loose wiring. This can quickly ignite any dripped fluid or leaked vapors. And since your vehicle’s electrical wiring runs throughout the entire body, it creates a substantial danger.
While your vehicle’s engine isn’t likely to overheat enough to catch fire on its own, it can be hot enough to make the vehicle’s oil and coolant rise to dangerous temperatures. When this happens, these internal fluids spread throughout the engine bay and onto the exhaust system. This is where they can dangerously ignite and spread.
The typical vehicle has numerous flammable fluids under the hood from gasoline or diesel fuel, transmission fluid, engine oil, brake fluid, power steering fluid and engine coolant. If anything happens to any of their lines, hoses or reservoirs, any of them could catch fire when the car is on and they are circulating. When you combine an accident or a failed part with one of these instances, your chance for fire increases.
While most vehicles have crumple zones which help the sheet metal absorb the impact of a crash, an intense blow can still spark a fire. Leaking fluids combined with heat create ideal conditions for a fire. If you are in an accident, you may not realize what is leaking under the hood, so it’s a good idea to always move away from an accident quickly.
Remember, it’s important you keep up on your vehicle’s regular maintenance, because if you don’t, you run the risk of not being aware of certain issues harboring under the hood. If you don’t fix faulty wiring, broken parts or leaky seals, for example, your vehicle is more susceptible to an incident that can spark a fire.
If you need any work done, or existing damage repaired, contact the Collision Center of Andover, your full service auto body shop, at (316) 733-9310, and we will get you back on the road. Check out our Before and After Collision photos to see how we get vehicles back to their original shape!
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10 Tips for Summer Travel
Summer – it’s that time of year we pack up our kids and our cars and hit the open road. Road trips can be exciting as we map out our plans to visit relatives, National Parks or maybe a theme park. Or perhaps a quiet vacation at an exclusive resort is more your style for summer travel.
Regardless of where you are going on vacation, it’s important you head out prepared, especially if you don’t wish for your car to break down. Imagine the hassle of taking your car to an andover collision center or auto repair shop and missing vacation days. In addition to packing all the right clothes and enough drinks and snacks for the long haul, there are several provisions you cannot forget when planning your big summer travel adventure. It’s important to check your car out thoroughly before heading out on your summer journey to ensure you trip isn’t interrupted by a breakdown and a call for the tow truck.
Top 10 items to check
Have a great summer trip! Don’t forget to ask a friend or neighbor to check on your house regularly and pick up any mail or newspapers, so it’s not obvious you are away.
Traveling with children or with messy people of any age? Learn some simple tips to keep the interior of your vehicle (mostly) clean while on a family vacation.
Need to get back on the road?
Contact the Collision Center of Andover at (316) 733-9310. We handle everything from full line collision repair to repairing windshield chips. If you find yourself stranded in Andover or the Wichita area, we can provide towing services to get you right to a repair shop of your choosing.
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How to Avoid Road Rage
Controlling Road Rage
You’re driving along on the highway with your family in tow and suddenly a truck cuts you off while you’re going 70 mph. You had to stomp on the brake and swerve wildly to avoid a nasty collision. At first, you’re relieved as you are your family are safe. But what about that guy in the truck who was talking on his cell phone? You can’t help but be enraged his irresponsible behavior put you and your family at risk.
How you handle the situation from that point forward is vital. You have a couple of choices: hunt down this reckless driver and perhaps cut him off in retaliation and endanger everyone’s lives or you can thank your lucky stars and continue to drive safely to your destination.
Unfortunately, not everyone on the road chooses the latter and attempts dangerous retaliation. This type of irrational vengeance is known as road rage. This behavior includes:
It is estimated more than 13,000 cases of road rage are reported each year, which don’t take into account those incidents never reported. According to a study, half of motorists will respond to aggressive driving with similar behavior. Statistically, men are said to be more likely to engage in this aggressive behavior than women and a person using a cell phone is more likely to respond to a situation with rage. People under 24 years old are also twice as likely to engage in road rage as other age groups.
How should I react?
First and foremost, you should try to back off before a bad situation escalates into a potentially violent one. Take a deep breath and remain calm. While you may not have been in the wrong, you don’t want to risk further damage to yourself or other people on the road because you reacted to their rage. You may not be able to control the other driver’s actions, but you can control your own.
What to do if the aggressive driver doesn’t relent?
If the aggressive driver will not leave you alone or you feel your life is being threatened, call the police for help. Do not get out of your car as this action can also be construed as aggressive behavior.
If you need any car repair done, or you’d like to consult about vehicle damage, contact the Collision Center of Andover at (316) 733-9310, and we will get you back on the road.
Preventing Tire Blowout and Collisions
It can happen to anyone. You’re driving along on the road and unexpectedly you hit a deep pothole, bump the curb, or run over a nail, and suddenly you are faced with tire blowout. You try to steer through it and pull off the road without losing control. Unfortunately, not everyone escapes collision when a tire blows out – and not everyone escapes injury.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates around 400 fatalities every year may be attributed to tire failure. Tire blowouts are said to cause tens of thousands of collisions annually. That’s why it’s vital to check your tires regularly and replace them when warranted to help prevent an unexpected breakdown or even a devastating collision.
Not only does replacing your tires regularly help avoid breakdowns and crashes, according to the NHTSA, tires in good condition also help improve vehicle handling and fuel economy.
Take note of manufacturers recommendation for safety
While guidelines for vehicles and tires may vary, most vehicle manufacturers recommend tires be replaced every six years, regardless of how many miles have been driven on them. Be sure to check your owner’s manual for specific recommendations.
While it might be tempting to keep old tires that otherwise look fine to the eye, be aware of the possibility of dry rot. Even in storage, tires can degrade over time as the oils and chemicals in the rubber compound break down or evaporate as the result of UV exposure. Tires in warm climates and coastal areas also have a reduced life span. Reduced flexibility can lead to cracking, which can lead to tire failure. It’s very dangerous when the tread begins to separate from the tire and can lead to loss of vehicle control.
Complete regular safety checks
It only takes a few minutes each month to check the condition of your tires. While tire life is often dependent on the tire manufacturer and the environment in which they are used, there are general steps the NHTSA recommends you follow every month to ensure safety:
How do I check my tires for safety?
Tires have built-in treadwear indicators that signify when it is time to replace your tires. Here are some helpful hints from the NHTSA on how to check your tire for uneven wear or worn treads:
If you need any work done, or existing damage repaired, contact the Collision Center of Andover at (316) 733-9310, and we will get you back on the road.