Why it’s important to check your tires before you take that road trip

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — AAA predicts 5.8 million drivers will be taking a holiday road trip in Florida for the year-end stretch starting Dec. 23 and ending on Jan. 2.

Among them is Bruce Walker’s wife, who’s making the 12 hour trek here from Pennsylvania.

”The first thing I told her is stop by one of our stores,” Walker said. “Make sure her tires are aired up.”

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

As store manager of a local Mavis with about 15 years of experience, he knows the difference a check up can make.

”Make sure your tires have the proper air in them,” he explained. “Improper air will destroy your tires and make your ride extremely uncomfortable,” he added. “Also uses a lot more gas, makes it hard to steer.”

Robin Cioffi, a Mavis customer, found out she needed all new tires.

”I’d gone for an oil change,” she recalled, “and they of course they always check my car out and said your tires really need to be replaced.” So she didn’t hesitate to get it done.

Read: Contest: Watch Action News Jax weeknights at 11 p.m. to win $300 in Florida Lottery scratch-offs

”It wasn’t something I was wanting to do before the holidays but it was important because I wanna be safe on the road,” Cioffi pointed out.

AAA expects nearly 899,000 drivers will get stranded during the same year-end stretch. The most common reasons are for dead batteries, flat tires and lockouts.

But Walker says a quick inspection could help you avoid being one of them.

”It’ll save you a lot of money and a lot of wear on your car,” Walker emphasized.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

Read: Contest: Win a family 4-pack of tickets to Wild Adventures

Read: Florida residents rescue cat stuck in storm drain

[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]

Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.