They say March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb, but we’ve seen that that’s not always the case. Along with the dreary nature of rainy spring days comes an increased danger of car accidents. While winter weather is no treat to drive in, slippery roads can cause hydroplaning, and freezing rain can be worse than snow. We’ve put together some tire safety tips to follow this spring, as well as a bit of advice for the upcoming summer conditions. Stop by your local Boulder, CO Honda Service Department at Fisher Honda if you need help with any of the following tire tips or have any other vehicle problems.

1. Tire Pressure – In addition to decreasing the fuel efficiency of your vehicle, not adding air to your vehicle’s tires is downright dangerous. It adds wear and tear to your tire quickly, causing less traction when you hit the breaks. Be sure not to overload your tires either by checking the side of your tire for the correct PSI.

2. Tire Inspection – Regardless of how old your tires are they need to be checked out from time to time. You can certainly give them a look yourself to see if they have worn down, but it’s always a good idea to have an expert at your local service department check them out for you.

3. Tire Overheating – You probably won’t need to worry about this one for a few months yet, but tire overheating—especially during the summer—can be extremely dangerous. While the heat of the pavement certainly is the primary cause, risks can be diminished when you avoid under-inflation, high speeds, excessive acceleration, and heavy loads on extremely hot days.

4. Tire Selection – Choosing the right tires is important. While you can always leave it to the experts at your local service department, it’s important to keep track of which tires your car should have for each season.

5. Drive Safely in Wet Conditions – While having the right tires is essential, it doesn’t matter if you don’t know the proper way to drive. When it’s wet outside make sure you:

• Slow down
• Don’t tailgate
• Turn your headlights on
• Pull over if it’s too hard to see in front of you
• Avoid using your breaks. Drive slowly and take your foot off the accelerator to slow down. This prevents hydroplaning.

Where to Get New Tires

Go to a local auto shop or repair center like Fisher Honda to get your tires checked, rotated, and replaced by experts. The most important things to remember are to drive cautiously, make sure your tires are in good condition, and replace your tires when it’s time. Call the Fisher Honda Service Department at (303) 647-4913 if you have any questions or would like to schedule a service appointment!

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As the temperature starts to get warmer, soon the weather will give way to more rain than snow. While snow can be a nuisance to drive in, getting caught driving in the middle of a rain storm can be just as dangerous. Here at Fisher Honda, your local Boulder, CO Honda dealer, we are dedicated to customer safety, and while we know that we can’t prevent rainstorms from happening (that would be awesome), we hope that these tips provide our customers with the knowledge to help prevent accidents during them.

The Condition of Your Vehicle is Important

With winter over, it can be easy to neglect your car after it has survived those frigid months. However, there should be some maintenance checks done to your vehicle to make sure everything is running properly. Make sure that your tires and windshield wipers are in top shape, as their condition can make a huge difference to your visibility during torrential downpours. If your automobile has stability and/or traction control systems, make sure those are running optimally as well.

Drive Appropriately for the Road Conditions

The number one thing to keep in mind while driving during a particularly bad rainstorm is to drive slowly. Losing control of your car is not only a personally terrifying experience for you, but for other drivers around you as well. Brake softly if you must slow down, as the slippery conditions could cause your wheels to lock up if you brake too hard. In the event that your car starts to hydroplane, it is important to remember not to turn suddenly or brake too hard, as this can cause your vehicle to skid. Instead, let off the accelerator until your car slows down and you can feel it gripping the road again. Pump very lightly on the brakes if it is absolutely imperative that you slow down.

During any Inclement Weather, Put Your Headlights On

Not only will having your headlights on make it easier to see deep pools of water, other vehicles, or pedestrians, they will also make you visible to other drivers. In any case, it is important to keep a close eye on the behaviors of your fellow drivers. Any mistakes that they might make should be taken note of so that you can be more careful.

If your car does need a new set of tires or requires a spring tune-up, bring your vehicle in to our Fisher Honda Service Department! We’ll make sure your vehicle is ready for any Colorado weather that comes your way.

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