Change of Seasons: Everything You Should Know About Storing Seasonal Car Tires

According to the latest reports, more than 282 million vehicles are on America's roadways these days. That figure has been steadily increasing since the automobile was invented during the late 1800s except for a brief period during the Great Depression. If the uptick holds steady, the number of vehicles worldwide could exceed three billion within the next 30 years. While it's no secret that vehicles require a certain amount of maintenance, many people aren't aware that their tires need care and upkeep as well. This is especially true when it comes to seasonal tires.

If you prefer to take the less hands-on approach to tire care, you could certainly dispose of seasonal tires when the weather begins to change. Your local mechanic can provide information about how to do so properly. In the event your tires from last summer or winter didn't survive storage in optimal condition, you could also find a used tire shop to buy road-tested seasonal tires that are in good shape. That being said, knowing how to properly store your tires when they're not in use could save you a great deal of money in the long run.

Understanding the Difference between Seasonal and All-Season Tires

All-season tires are designed to handle all types of weather and remain on vehicles all year long. While this can certainly be considered a benefit and a convenience, it also means they might pose certain problems. They don't provide the same level of handling in warm weather as summer tires do. At the same time, they don't provide as much traction on snow and ice as winter tires. Though they're tough and can last a long time, they're a bit of a compromise in the tire world.

Seasonal tires are made differently. Summer tires are designed to hug the road. They take well to sharp curves, so they won't fight back when you're enjoying those curvy mountain roads on a warm, sunny day. They won't hold you back when you're cruising down the highway at top speed, either.

On the other hand, winter tires are built with caution and dangerous driving conditions in mind. They have deeper tread and different tread patterns that are designed to give you better traction on icy roads. Their rubber is made to withstand the extreme cold that can cause summer tires to become less flexible as well. This type of tire may not be necessary in areas like the Deep South where winters don't get very harsh. In other regions, though, they're essential.

Storing Your Seasonal Tires

If you're one of the many vehicle owners who change out your tires according to the season, it's important to preserve the ones you're not using until it's time to have them mounted again. Doing so will prevent you from having to purchase new tires each time summer or winter rolls back around. Consider taking the following measures to keep your seasonal tires in top-notch condition.

Clean the Tires Well

After having seasonal tires taken off of your vehicle, be sure to clean them thoroughly with soap and water. If you leave mud, road grime, salt, and other substances on the tires while they're in storage, they can take a toll on the rubber and detract from the tires' lifespan. Rinse them well afterward, too. Prolonged exposure to cleaning products can damage the tires as well. Tires are designed to hold up to the elements, friction against asphalt, impacts from potholes, and other hazards, but that's while they're being used regularly. When you take them off of a vehicle, it changes the variables of the equation.

Allow the Tires to Dry Completely

Your next step is to get rid of excess moisture. After cleaning and rinsing, pour as much water as possible out of the insides of the tires. Then, allow them to dry completely before placing them in storage. You may need to roll them a few inches here and there to ensure their entire internal and external surfaces are completely dry. As is the case with mud, salt, and other substances, prolonged exposure to moisture can cause tire damage.

Place the Tires in an Airtight Container

Once the tires are dry, place them in an airtight storage container. While there are tire caddies and other products on the market for this purpose, many experts insist that large trash bags or vacuum-seal bags are the best options. Place each tire in its own bag and remove as much air as possible. Then, seal the openings of the bags well. This will help keep moisture, dirt, and other elements from damaging the tires while you're not using them. It'll also safeguard them against dry-rotting caused by oxygen.

Keep Tires in a Cool, Dry Place

When the tires are safely bagged, store them in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. Garages, basements, and storage sheds tend to work well. This extra effort will aid in protecting your tires from extreme temperatures and moisture. It'll also safeguard them against the weathering, cracking, and other problems that being exposed to the sun's UV rays can cause. Ultraviolet rays are forms of radiation, and they can damage tires just as much as they can harm the skin.

Store Tires Upright

Many people lay tires flat and stack them in storage. It's best to avoid this route if possible. Instead, store the tires upright. Stacking them can cause them to bow and become misshapen. That could lead to handling problems when you have them mounted on the car at the end of the season. It may also lead to leaks and other issues. If you have to stack them, consider flipping them weekly or so to prevent distortion.

Keep Your Tires Ready for the Road

High-quality tires aren't cheap, so taking care of the ones you have will save you a great deal of money over time. If you use seasonal tires, be sure to clean them well and store them properly until you're ready to have them remounted. All the extra time and effort will go a long way toward ensuring they're always ready for the road when you need them.

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Car Crashes Caused by Animals: What Are You Required to Do and What Are Your Rights?

Texas highways have high speed limits and miles and miles of country roads. On those roads, there are some serious hazards to watch out for. Animals often cross the highways, especially at night when vision can be compromised. Sometimes, by the time a driver sees the animal, it is too late to stop or to avoid them. Car crashes involving animals can cause a lot of damage to the vehicle and injury or death to the animal. The driver can also suffer mild to very serious injuries.

What Can the Driver Do When Car Crashes Involve animals?

Every state has its own rules about driver safety, driver responsibility, and who is responsible in different accident scenarios. The traffic laws can be confusing. Insurance companies can also be a big problem when a car accident is caused by a wild animal. How can the driver sort all of this out and get some insurance compensation for damages and injuries? This is one type of car accident that having legal advice and assistance may be crucial.

In Texas, call a corpus christi car wreck lawyer to get advice and help with a claim. The law office has the resources to investigate Texas law and tell the driver what their responsibilities and rights are. They can help the driver navigate the complicated path to getting a fair insurance settlement.

Generally, when an accident happens, the driver should:

· Keep themselves safe by setting up a hazard area and moving the animal, if safe to do so, and the driver out of the path of oncoming cars and trucks. Call 911.

· Do not approach the animal unless it will be safe because the animal can be frightened and defensive. They might try to attack the driver in fear.

· If it is a pet or other domestic animal and is still alive, keep it warm and calm but do not offer food or water at this point.

· Take photos of the accident scene and the animal. Take photos of the car damage and the driver if injured. Write down the location, time, date, weather conditions, and injuries to the driver and the animal and the damage to the car.

· If there are witnesses, try to get statements and contact information from them.

If the animal is a farm animal such as a horse, donkey, goat, mule, cow, sheep, pig, or another farm animal, the driver should stop the car or truck, immediately call the police, and stay on the scene until they arrive. If the animal is loose because of careless behavior by the owner, there may be a liability to check out. In any case, the documentation of animal ownership and accident circumstances can be very useful to the lawyer the driver hires to represent them.

If the animal is a wild animal, such as a cat, deer, fox, badger, rodent, wolf, buffalo, rabbit, bear, or other wild animals, the driver should inform the police. If the animal is dead, get it off the road. If the animal is alive, call the wildlife rescue organization nearby to come to the scene and help the animal.

Animal Caused Injuries

There are over 26,000 driver injuries caused by accidents caused by animals every year. It is not proven that either braking for the animal or swerving to avoid the animal is the best way to react to animals running in front of vehicles. Statistics say that 1/2 of the vehicle injuries involving animals are caused by hitting the animal and 1/2 of the injuries are caused by motorists swerving to avoid the animal.

There were 247,000 animal-related car crashes in 2,000 and, since then, the number has surely gone up. The most common animal hit was deer, accounting for almost 90% of the crashes with animals involved.

Tips To Avoid Animal Involved Accidents

There are some commonsense ways to avoid or lessen the severity of animal-involved car accidents. Knowing how to react to a sudden animal appearance on the road is part of the battle.

1. Try not to panic. Keeping control can reduce the seriousness of the encounter. Being aware of the road conditions and surrounding landscape at all times can prevent surprises.

2. Swerving is not the best option to avoid an animal. It only works on empty roads when the car is traveling at a slow speed. In most cases, swerving to miss an animal can cause more harm, such as losing control of the vehicle and crashing.

3. Slow down as much as possible as soon as the animal is spotted. Make sure there are no vehicles coming from behind before sudden stops. Try to stop, but do not step on the brakes so hard the vehicle will skid.

4. If an animal is coming from the right side of the road, steer the vehicle towards the far right outer edge of the road. The animal might speed up and be safe.

5. If a collision is impossible to avoid, slow down as much as possible and brace for impact. Your life is more important than the animal, and there might be passenger's safety to consider. It is amazing how many animals avoid being hit at the last second.

6. When an animal is hit, stop and call the proper authorities to get the animal help. Be careful about approaching an injured animal.

7. If it is a large animal that might be hit, the impact might be serious. Try to lower your body as far down as possible so it is protected by the dashboard if the animal comes through the windshield.

8. If an animal is hit, get control of and stop the car as soon as possible to check for damage and injuries that require assistance, and call 911 for help.

9. Now, stay inside the car while calling for help. Turn on the emergency flashers to warn other drivers of the danger. Injured large animals can be dangerous.

10. Contact your car insurance agent as soon as possible to make a claim. If the insurance agent is not representing you fairly, contact legal help.

Car accidents involving animals are more common than most people think. It is okay to feel guilty, but if the accident could not be avoided, it was not your fault. Your insurance agent should be experienced in handling this type of claim fairly. Taking photos and gathering as much information as possible at the scene should help your case. Get any injuries cared for immediately and take care of the vehicle so life can go on. Do not hesitate to call a lawyer if you need help dealing with the insurance company.

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5 Motocross Tips for Beginners That Will Make You Comfortable in No Time

Learning how to ride bikes off-road can be a fun experience. However, before getting started, it is important to learn how to be safe to prevent serious accidents and injuries. There are also a few tips beginners can use to help ensure they learn faster and get the hang of riding safely.

From purchasing the right bike goggles to giving the bike the right amount of gas, use the tips and information here to learn how to ride faster.

1. Wear the Right Protective Gear

There are far too many people who get on a bike and hit the track without the proper protective gear. At a very minimum, anyone who is going to ride off-road needs to have proper gloves, boots, goggles, and an approved helmet. The right boots and gloves will help a rider maintain constant contact with their bike, helping to prevent a fall or accident.

It is also a good idea to consider wearing a chest protector if it is within a rider’s budget. In order of importance, add the chest and back protector, then knee braces, and, eventually, a neck brace.

2. Start Out Slow

One of the biggest questions new riders are asking is how they can go faster. The answer to this is surprising to some. The best way to go faster is by riding slowly at first. New riders need to develop their muscle memory. By doing this, the movements will become second nature. If someone tries to ride too fast too soon, it will increase the number of times they fall, which will then cause them to develop bad habits that may impact their riding abilities down the road.

3. Avoid Riding Alone

Riding a dirt bike is a sport that carries some level of risk. It is not a good idea to ride alone, even for professionals. For beginners, this rule is even more important. It doesn’t matter where someone plans to ride, take someone along. While having someone else riding is best, just having someone present is a must for safety.

4. Learn the Basics of Dirt Bike Maintenance

The bike is an extension of the rider. It is important to understand how it works, what may be needed for the rider, and what the bike may need for optimum performance. From a practical viewpoint, understanding how things work will help someone continue to ride longer and prevent issues during the day. At a very minimum, learn how to change a tube or tire, change and clean spark plugs, and replace a chain link.

5. Practice Makes Perfect

When it comes to learning how to ride faster and better, the adage “practice makes perfect” applies. It is important to continue getting on the bike, riding, and practicing skills. In fact, this is the only way that anyone will get better at anything.

When it comes to learning how to ride a dirt bike, there are more than a few things to consider. It is important to make sure that safety is remembered at each turn. This will help ensure the experience is a fun and exciting one. Being informed and knowing how to ride better, faster, and safer is going to make riding a dirt bike even better than most people imagine.

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