Driving on bad tires is a safety hazard, but more importantly, bad tires can negatively affect your car’s fuel economy. So, how do you know when your car tires need to be replaced? When they need to be replaced, be sure to replace them with the same brand and model since different tires have unique tread patterns and sizes.
Here are Ways to Know If Car Tires Need to Be Replaced:
Uneven Tread Wear
When you notice that your tire tread is wearing in uneven areas, it could mean your steering wheel feels off-center and that your car is pulling to one side, which could cause you to swerve into another vehicle. It can also mean that the time for replacing your tires is coming near. If your car’s tires are losing tread, it could mean your tires need to be replaced. If you suspect you need new tires, the tread may not look this small, but if your tires are at least a quarter-inch deep, it’s OK for you to drive on them. The tread will wear down much quicker as you drive, making your tires bald. When tires are bald, it’s unsafe to drive your car-so you’ll either need new tires or tire repair.
Excessive Wobbling
The day you notice your car tires wobbling is a sign of neglect, and you need to change your tires. Bleed air through your tires regularly to ensure that there were no leaks. Worn-out tires can be dangerous, and one of the easiest ways to tell if yours are wrong is to take a short drive around your neighbourhood. If your car pulls to one side or another or feels like it’s “wobbling,” it’s time to consider replacing your tires. Before you replace them, though, check to make sure the tread is of adequate depth. The proper amount of tread on a tire is what is necessary to allow the car to run smoothly and safely. It helps the car grip the road, so without enough of it, a vehicle isn’t going to be able to maneuver as safely as it should. When ragged, the tread can lose the ability to grip the road as well. If a tire suddenly begins to wobble when driving, it is likely in need of replacement.
A Flat Spot
Many drivers wonder if they need to replace their car tires, and the answer isn’t always simple. A flat spot indicates a slow leak and shouldn’t be ignored. One of the biggest reasons to change your car tires is when the rubber is worn down, leading to damage. A flat spot means there’s an area on the tire that is thinner and softer than the rest of the tire. It’s like a wound, and the tire doesn’t retain as much pressure. This could lead to even more damage.
Tread Tears or Bulges and Cracking
Driving down the road, if your tire suddenly feels loose or you hear a hissing sound, it’s probably time to check your tires. If a tire has tread wear bars (ones that are visible), it’s probably time to replace that tire. Treadwear bars indicate that you have tread between the tire’s tread and the road. When you notice that your tire treads are worn or cracked, you may believe that replacement is necessary. However, this isn’t the case. Some treads can last for tens of thousands of miles. So how do you know when you need to change your tires? There are a few signs to look for, including treads that look shallow, uneven tread wear, and cracking.
Replace tires every 6 years
Tires wear down over time, and most people replace them every 6 years. If you’re feeling your car isn’t slowing down as quickly as it used to, your tires could be wearing down. In order to determine if your tires need to be replaced, it’s necessary to check the tire’s wear indicator, which is placed at 5–8-inch intervals around the edge of the tire. The wear indicator indicates the amount of tread left on the tire.
It’s often hard to tell when a car’s tires need to be replaced (or not). As tires age, they gradually lose their original tread depth, which increases the chances that a tire will fail during high-speed driving. Luckily, checking your tread depth is quite easy: a simple and accurate test is to insert a penny into the groove of a penny with Lincoln’s head down. If you can see the top of Abraham Lincoln’s head, then you’re good to go. But if you can see any of the white parts of the penny, it’s time for a new tire.
