Your vehicle’s tires should be checked frequently for inflation and tread depth. Underinflated tires can wear out more quickly, needing to be replaced sooner, and can negatively impact safety, gas mileage and performance.
Didn’t realize there were so many steps in just checking the tire, don’t you just look at it?!
- Understandin the primary function of tread on a tire: it is to divert water to improve traction and avoid hydroplaning on wet roads.
- Look at tread pattern. All tires have “tread wear bars”. Small bridges that form between treads, when tread bars are even with tire’s tread, replace your tires.
- Check with “penny or quarter test”, depending on tire size. If you see top of presidents head replace tire immediately. If only hair showing on presidents head time to go shopping for tires. If you can’t see hair on top of had, tires do not need to be replaced.
- Use a tread depth indicator or guage
- Know legal requirements. When your tires are worn it is a matter of safety, but there are also some legal requirements on tread depth.
- Note irregular tread wear: this could be wheel misalignment, the need for tire rotation, or both. Improper alignment or worn suspension parts can dramatically shorten a tire’s life.
- Check for abnormal bulges or “bubbles” in the sidewall: The sidewall bulge indicates that the ridged internal frame of the tire is damaged and cracked, allowing air pressure to reach the flexible outer layers of the tire. Any tires with sidewall bulges should be replaced immediately, regardless of the tread status.
- Replace the tires at least every 6 years: Always err on the side of caution if your vehicle has tires that are over 6 years of age.
- Noticing a vibration in the steering wheel: Tires are worn unevenly.
- Check for dry rot: if you see little cracks all over your tires, the rubber is breaking down.
