To be frank, attempting to determine the precise time that you need new tires is like winning the lottery. Extremely difficult. Still, there are ways to measure a vague timeframe of when it’s necessary to consider buying new tires. What we can be certain of is that the more wear and tear a tire undergoes, the closer is gets being in a state of high-risk. The original purpose of a tire tread’s design is to reroute the liquids and debris from underneath the tire to improve traction of a wet surface. When a tire gets worn down, the tread’s design is no longer effective, which put the driver of that vehicle in danger. As soon as a tire wears down to 1/16th of an inch, it is deemed as undependable. Many professionals suggest that you don’t wait that long to get new tires because you will be putting your safety at risk.
There are various factors that control the lifespan of a tire, such as:
- Driving style
- Conditions of the road
- Weather
- Driver’s attentiveness to their tires
- Type of tire
How to Tell If It’s Time for New Tires
All modern tires sold in the U.S. have “tread wear bars,” which are small raised rubber bars in the grooves of your tires. When you look at your tire tread, you’ll see these bars running between the tread. If you see these bars are flush with your tire tread, it’s time for new tires. Another easy way to tell if you need new tires is the penny test. Simply take a penny and place Lincoln’s head in one of the grooves of your tire tread. If you can see all of Lincoln’s head, then head to a tire shop for new tires. While you’re inspecting your tires, check a few different spots for any irregular tread wear. This could indicate you need a wheel alignment as well as new tires.
Out of Your Control
Despite the amount of attention you give your tires, there are still outside forces that will take a toll on your tire’s condition. If you consistently drive in crude weather conditions or you’ve had your tires for many years now, the elasticity loses shape and crack start forming along the surface. Remember, if the cracks are light then you don’t have anything to worry about. Now if you notice a lot of splintering on your tire, you should act fast in taking your tires to get looked at by a professional sooner rather than later.
Other Factors
Equally as important as the condition of your tires, is making sure your tire alignment is correct. Good tire alignment helps your tires in optimizing their performance and allows them to last longer. Tire alignment also decreases the pulling of your vehicle in one direction while driving and gives the driver a better sense of control over the vehicle as a whole. If you haven’t gotten your tires aligned in a while, come in today so we can take care of that for you.