Have you ever wondered if it’s time to change your tires?
Fortunately, it doesn’t require a car mechanic or any professional to figure this out. Nearly 200 people die each year in tire-related crashes, but don’t worry! Keeping your tires in good shape is the key to avoiding accidents.
So, when should you change your tires? We’re here to help. Follow this guide to find out if your tires are still in their tip-top shape:
Check Your Tread Wear
Tire treads are one of the most important factors on whether you need to change your tires.
The easiest way to check if your treads are wearing out is to use a penny or a similar sized coin. Insert the coin into the tread if you can still see the top of Lincoln’s head, you need new tires.
A more accurate way of doing this is by using a tread depth indicator. The tread depth should not reach .16 cm or lower.
How Old Are Your Tires
Tire manufacturers recommend that you change your tires every 6 years. This is regardless of if your tire treads have been wearing out.
Most tire manufacturers place the creation date of the tires on the sidewall. The four-number digit represents the week and year.
If you calculate your tire is more than 6 years old, change them.
Damaged Sidewalls
Something people often overlook is the condition of the side of their tires. The damage is often caused by small collisions with a sidewalk or other obstacles.
A damaged sidewall can affect the pressure of the tire and its performance. Make sure to have your tires checked out or even changed when you find sidewall damage.
Not sure if your tires can still take it? You shouldn’t hesitate to call experts, like the folks from S.O.S. Mobile Tire.
When Should You Change Your Tires? Look for Rubber Wear and Tear
Over time, your tires might start to have dry rot.
You can tell this by checking for cracks around tires or if small chunks start falling apart. Dry rot also means that the rubber is weakening and separating from the metal belt.
Make sure to inspect for dry rot early because this might happen way before your treads even start to wear.
Tire Punctures or Bulges
An obvious indication of when to change tires is if you spot punctures or bulges anywhere around the tire. Damages and defects like these can make driving with the tires unsafe. Of course, there are ways to patch up a puncture in a tire like using vulcanizing cement or tire plug kits.
The integrity of the tire will still hold if the cut is small enough but it’s always safer to have it checked out.
Deep Cracks
Another way on how to tell if tires are wearing out are deep cracks. They can often form in between the treads of tires.
You may not even notice because it can sometimes blend in with the treads and just look like deep groves. When you spot them, replace your tires immediately as you cannot repair cracks within the treads.
Discover More Car Guides Here!
Look for these different signs to assure a safe drive. Hopefully, we helped answer the question, when should you change your tires? We hope you learned more about how to spot wearing out and damages on your tires.
But don’t stop here when we have more content for you to discover! Feel free to read more of our posts here to get all the tire tips and tricks you need!
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