The tires are one of the most significant components of a car. Sadly, they are the most neglected ones, too. Every car owner should make it a point to ensure that footwear is in peak condition. It directly affects the vehicle’s performance, brakes, and fuel efficiency. Have you ever wondered when to change your car’s tires?
The life of car tires cannot be calculated, as several factors contribute to its damage.
1-Keep an eye on the miles
All tires are rated for a certain number of miles. The better the tire, the higher the mileage rating it will have. It means the tire should be in good condition up until that point. Many tire stores will give you credit on your next purchase should you need to replace the current set before reaching the mileage. You can find tires rated anywhere between 30,000 and 70,000. If you are getting close to the end of your tires’ lifespans, then it’s just about time to start shopping for some new ones.
2-Imprint depth
It is one of the obvious visual signs that you can rely on. Tire tread is critical for gripping the road, especially in poor weather conditions like rain and snow. Balding tires can slip and slide all over the road. The lower the tread depth, the longer it will take to bring the car to a stop, particularly when the road is wet.
You can measure tread depth in inches or millimeters. It’s worth checking to learn the recommended tread depth for your tires. Generally, anything above 1/16th of an inch indicates a healthy tire and no need to replace it. Once the tire gets below this, you should purchase a new set right away.
Tire meters can show the depth for you. Or, you can try the penny trick. Place a Lincoln penny head-down in the tread.
If you can see the great president’s entire head, there isn’t enough tread on the tire. This trick works in a pinch, but you should be sure to check with a tire meter as soon as possible.
3-Uneven wear
One of the most common wear issues is this tell-tale sign of an alignment problem. Uneven wear can cause the outer or inner part of the tire to wear quicker, as this section of the tire is making firmer contact with the road. When checking tire tread depth, inspect the inside and outside edges of the tire for excessive wear. More importantly, if you discover an uneven wear problem, you need to get it rectified with proper alignment. Replacing the tires without correcting the problem will only lead to premature wear of new tires in the same fashion.
4-Sidewall cracks
Tread depth isn’t the only thing you can quickly look at on the tire. Another symptom of bad tires can be cracks or dry-rotting in the sidewalls. If you see cuts or grooves in the sidewall, it’s time to get a new set. It’s important not to get too close to notice this damage. When it’s easily visible, you know the tires have come to the end of their life.
This damage is a clear indication that the tires are losing air. More dangerously, the sidewalls provide the tires with most of their structural support, so it may mean they’re about to blow. You don’t want to be on the road when this happens. Take care of the issue now.
5-Tires bulging
What is known as a tire blister can indicate that the tire is about to pop. It shows you that the outer part of the tire is weakening and doesn’t have much time left before it bursts. If you see this sign, don’t wait another day to have a mechanic inspect it,
6-Driving habits
The life of the car tires also majorly depends on driving habits and other user behaviors. Rash driving can cause faster damage to car components. Also, many car owners fail to maintain the recommended tire pressure and even ignore the rotation levels of the tires, which results in a faster deterioration of these significant car parts.
