Signs That Indicate You Need New Car Tires

The performance of your car tires is vital to the efficiency of your vehicle and your safety while driving. At some point, your tires will have reached their limit, and you will need new tires. The matter at hand now is knowing when your tires need to be replaced. The good thing is, you don’t have to be an expert mechanic to realize that you need to buy new tires. It’s more about not taking them for granted. All you have to do is do what is required to examine your vehicle’s tires and assess if what you saw merits replacing.

In case you’re wondering what to look for and want to know how to determine if you need to replace your tires, then you’re certainly in the right place. In this article, you will learn about the signs that indicate you need new car tires.

Tire Punctures

Inspect your tires for punctures. Regardless of how many and their size, punctures cause your tire pressure to diminish and flattens your tire. Nobody should ever drive with a punctured tire, as it compromises the safety of everyone in riding the car.

If you come across any punctures in one or two of your tires, you need to have them replaced. If you need to head out, be sure that your spare tire is properly inflated before putting it on in place of the punctured tire. Have the punctured tire get looked at by a specialist for a proper diagnosis.

Also Read: Signs That Indicate You Need New Car Tires

Worn-out Treads

The main function of tire treads is to divert water beneath the tire to improve traction and avoid water buildup between your wheels and the road surface. That water buildup leads to loss of traction, which will prevent your vehicle from responding to input controls. That occurrence is called hydroplaning.

Once the tread of your tires is down to 0.16cm, it’s recommended that you purchase new ones. Finding the nearest tire shop shouldn’t be that difficult nowadays, especially with the advent of the internet, where you can find online shops where you might find tires that fit your vehicle.

You can identify the depth of your tire treads through the tires themselves and the simple penny method. Some brands include an indicator of tire tread depth that helps owners see the correct depth. The penny method entails inserting a Lincoln penny in the center of the tread at the thickest part of the tire facing your direction. If you can see the very top of Lincoln’s head or the copper above it, then the tire must be replaced.

Damaged Sidewalls

Sidewalls sustain damages when you hit curbs while turning, or any other obstacles or hard objects. Damages on your tire sidewalls affect tire pressure, which leads to a less fuel-efficient drive. Have your tires checked once you see any sidewall damage.

Uneven Tire Wear

It’s easy to see uneven tire wear, as it is visible when you check your tire treads. If you see that the wear is uneven, then it might mean that your tires are out of alignment or improperly inflated. These are all indications that you need to have your tires get looked at, and possibly have them replaced depending on professional assessment.

Aging

You can see how old your tires are at the sidewall. The 4-digit code will inform you if their lifespan is up. The first 2 represents the week it was made, while the other 2 indicates the year. It’s better to have them replaced, regardless of condition. Never take your chances with an old tire. The ideal frequency of tire replacement is every six years.

Summary

Damages and the age of your tire are the signs that you need to buy a new one. Keep in mind that you need tires that are in good condition to keep you safe when you drive, so spending time and money is only a minor inconvenience compared to the benefit that new tires give you.