There are very few things as important to your car as the tires. In order to have a safe and stable drive from point A to point B, you need to make sure that your tires and wheels are in good shape. You may need new tires if there is too much wear and tear on your current set. Car manufacturers recommend that you get a new set of tires every 6 years, while tire manufacturers recommend every ten. But there are a few problems that crop up that could cause you to need new tires sooner than that, and you need to understand what to look for in order to keep your car and your family safe on the road.
Take note of the tread
The tire tread is of extreme importance when you are ensuring that your tires are safe to drive. Shop tires and wheels if your tire tread is uneven, or if it is no longer deep. Tire tread should be at least 1/16 of an inch, and more if you often drive on wet roads. If you stick a penny in the tread upside down, and you can still see the top of Lincoln’s head, then you know it is time for new tires and wheels and you should take your car to the tire shop. With so much riding on your tires, this is not something you can play around with. Often tires will wear at different rates, so part of the tire looks good while other parts are totally worn down. Newer tire tread wear indicator bar that can help you easily identify when new tires are needed.
Be aware of strange noises or vibrations
Hearing strange noises or feeling unusual vibrations always necessitates a visit to the tire shop. In many cases, the noises or vibrations are caused by uneven treads on the tires, or other tire problems. If you are driving on clear, even pavement and your car is shaking excessively, your tires might be out of alignment. This doesn’t necessarily mean you need new tires, but you do need to check out the problem in a tire shop.
Keep your eyes open
There are many little details with your tires and wheels that you need to evaluate in order to make sure that your tires are safe to drive. Because of the importance of your tires, seemingly little problems can have big ramifications and can lead you to the tire shop. Some of the most important elements to keep an eye on include the following:
- Cracked rubber
- Bubbling or blisters on the sides of tires
- Low or erratic tire pressure
- Tire light on
- Age of the tires
If any of these problems occur, you should visit your nearest reputable tire shop to investigate tire brands and get new tires. Whether your problem is tire pressure or cracks and blisters, the safety of your family is too important to play around with faulty tires.
Tires and wheels literally keep your car moving, and if your tires are old or worn out this can seriously impede your family’s safety. By visiting a professional tire shop, you can find out if any problem you might be seeing or feeling is indicative of the need for a new set of tires. The depth of the tread is the number one need if you want to drive safely, and with the easy penny test, you will quickly understand if your car needs new tires. Different tire brands will last for different amounts of time, but the bottom line is you need a safe foundation for your car.
