LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) -- Before you hit the road this summer, don't forget to check your tires.

It's not hard to do, just not everybody does it. Kevin Edens with Sherwood Tire Pros sees it all the time-- drivers with bald or blown out tires. Edens shows us the steps on how to prevent a costly a repair.

"You can see it has plenty of tread depth to it and very soft pliable tire. And you can see this is an older tire and the tread is gone," says Edens.

Under inflation is worse than over inflation during the hot summer.

"If you've ever taken a paper clip and bent it back and forth and gets hot before it breaks. If the tire has low pressure, the side walls fail and that's where it fails is in the side wall," says Edens.

Use the tire pressure recommendations in your vehicle and not on the tire.

"If you use what is printed on side of tire, that tire can fit multiple vehicles and you may be running not enough or too much for the vehicle," says Edens.

Car manufacturers recommend rotating your tires every five to eight thousand miles and for good reason.

"The front tires will wear thin and quickly an cause an issue," says Edens.

If you see tires or debris along the highways, the state transportation department says to call them at 501-569-2227.

Randy Ort with the Highway Department says they have 95 officers spread out across the state and picking up debris is part of their duties.

"The roadways are our responsibility and obviously law enforcement is in tune with the roadways and they know how to get a hold of us as well," says Ort.

Ort says if happens after business hours or on the weekends to call your local law enforcement. Do not call 911, unless it's an accident.


The latest data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that over the five-year period from 2005 to 2009, nearly 3,400 people died, and an estimated 116,000 were injured, in tire-related crashes.

The Department of Transportation urges motorists to check their tire pressure before long trips and to inspect tires periodically. Motorists should also be aware that aging tires and hot weather can be a potentially deadly combination, as older tires are more susceptible to heat stress, especially if they are not properly inflated.

Motorists should check the tire sidewall to see how old their tires are, and to check with the tire manufacturer or the vehicle owner's manual for recommendations on how often to change tires.

THV's Pam Baccam has more on todaysthv.com and "Today's THV at 5:00" and todaysthv.com.