You hop in your car, turn the ignition, and get ready to head out for the day. But before you pull out of the driveway, have you given some thought to the condition of your tires lately? If it's been a while since your last inspection, it's a good idea to check them over. Worn treads and low pressure are red flags you don't want to ignore. In this article, we'll cover what to look for when giving your tires a checkup. We'll talk tread depth, pressure, wear patterns, and when it might be time to replace your tires. Stay safe on the road by knowing the signs of potential tire trouble. A quick inspection now can help you avoid headaches - and dangerous blowouts - down the road.
The Importance of Regular Tire Inspections
We all know tires are crucial for safe driving, but when was the last time you really checked yours? Out of sight, out of mind is easy, but neglecting your tires can lead to dangerous blowouts or hydroplaning.
Check Tread Depth
The tread is the part of the tire that grips the road. As tires age and wear down, the tread gets thinner, reducing traction. For the best grip, tread depth should be at least 1/16 of an inch. An easy way to check is by placing a penny upside down in the tread. If you can see Lincoln's full head, it's time for a replacement.
Look for Damage or Irregular Wear
Regularly inspect your tires for any damage like punctures, cuts, bulges or blisters which can impact the integrity and life of your tires. Also check that both tires on each axle are wearing evenly. Uneven tread wear can indicate alignment, balance or mechanical issues that need to be addressed.
Monitor Tire Pressure
Under-inflated tires reduce fuel economy, handling, and braking power while accelerating wear. They're also more prone to blowouts. Check tire pressure at least once a month and always inflate to the vehicle manufacturer's recommended pressure listed in your owner's manual or on the tire placard.
Know When to Replace
As a general rule, tires should be replaced after 6 years, regardless of tread wear, to ensure maximum safety and performance. The rubber in tires starts to break down over time, even if they look fine. Older tires are more prone to failure at high speeds or during emergency braking or turning. Your life is worth the investment in a new set of tires.
Staying on top of your tire care and maintenance helps ensure you and your passengers get where you're going safely every time. Make tire inspections a regular part of your vehicle care routine. Your life may depend on it!
What to Look for When Checking Tire Tread Depth
When it comes to those round things that keep your vehicle moving, the tread is where the rubber meets the road. As tires wear down over time, the tread gets thinner. Once it reaches a certain point, your tires won't grip the road as well, especially on wet or snowy roads. For safety and to avoid hydroplaning, it's important to check your tire tread depth regularly.
Check the Indicators
Many tires have built-in tread wear indicators that become visible as the tread wears down. They are spaced evenly around the circumference of the tire. When the tread surface matches the height of these indicators, it's time for replacement. As a general rule of thumb, though, if your tread is worn down to 1/16 of an inch, traction and braking ability start to be compromised no matter the weather.
Do the Penny Test
If your tires don't have tread wear indicators, an easy way to check the depth is with a penny. Hold the penny with Lincoln's head upside down and facing you. Place the penny into several tread grooves across the tire. If you can see the top of Lincoln's head, your tread is worn down to 1/16 of an inch or less and it's unsafe to drive on. Time for new tires!
Check Multiple Locations
Don't just check the tread in one spot. Examine multiple places around the circumference of the tire, especially in the center portion. The center part of the tread usually shows the most wear. Look also along the outer edges, where handling and cornering traction may start to decrease as the tread thins out. For the best performance, all tires on an axle should be at approximately the same tread depth.
Keeping an eye on your tire tread and replacing when needed is one of the easiest ways to stay safe on the road. Make it a habit to check your tread depth at least once a month and before any long trips. Your life is riding on it!
Signs of Tire Wear and Damage to Watch Out For
Uneven tread wear
When tires wear unevenly, it typically indicates an alignment issue or worn suspension parts. Check that the tread is wearing evenly across the width of the tire. If it's wearing more on one side, get your alignment checked. Uneven tread wear reduces the life of your tires and can affect handling and braking.
Excessive tread wear
If your tires seem to be wearing out quickly, you may need to have your driving habits evaluated. Fast starts, heavy braking, and high-speed cornering can accelerate tread wear. It's also a good idea to rotate your tires regularly, following the pattern in your owner's manual. Rotation helps tires wear evenly so you can maximize their life.
Cracks or splits
Inspect your tires for any deep cracks or splits, especially on the sidewall. Exposure to sunlight and extreme temperatures can cause rubber to degrade over time. Cracks or splits compromise the strength and integrity of your tires. It's best to replace any tire with major damage.
Bald spots
Check that tread is present over the entire surface of the tire, without any large bald spots. Bald spots, where the tread has worn away completely, mean it's time for a replacement. Tires provide no traction or grip on bald areas, affecting braking, handling, and safety.
Bulges or blisters
Any bulge, blister or deformation on the sidewall means trouble. These indicate structural damage or failure inside the tire. It is not safe to drive on a tire with damage to the sidewall or tread. Get it replaced immediately.
By regularly inspecting your tires for signs of wear or damage, you can help ensure maximum performance, safety, and value from your investment. It's always better to replace a tire too early than too late. When in doubt if your tires are still roadworthy, play it safe and have them checked by a professional. Your life depends on it.
When to Replace Your Tires Based on Wear
As tires age and accumulate miles, they naturally start to wear down. But how do you know when it’s time to replace them? There are a few signs you should watch out for to determine if your tires still have life left or if it’s time for a new set.
Treadwear
The tread on your tires provides traction, so if it’s worn down, your ability to grip the road is greatly reduced. Check your tread wear indicators—the raised bars in the tread grooves. If the tread is worn down so the indicators are level with the surrounding tread, it’s time for replacement. As a general rule, replace tires with 1/16 of an inch or less of tread remaining.
Damage
Inspect your tires regularly for any damage like cuts, cracks, or punctures in the sidewall or tread. Damage compromises the strength and integrity of your tires. It’s not worth risking a blowout, so replace any significantly damaged tires.
Age
As tires age, the rubber and materials start to break down, even if they look OK otherwise. Most tire manufacturers recommend replacement after 6 years, regardless of tread wear or damage. The date of manufacture is imprinted on the sidewall, indicated by a 4-digit code. The first two numbers are the week, and the last two are the year. So, a code of “3013” means the tire was made in the 30th week of 2013.
Handling and braking
If your vehicle is pulling to one side, vibrating at high speeds, or not braking as well as it used to, it could indicate your tires need replacement. These are signs the internal structure of your tires has started to deteriorate, compromising performance and safety. Don’t ignore these cues—get your tires checked by a mechanic right away.
Staying on top of your tire wear and condition helps ensure maximum performance, efficiency, and, most importantly, safety. When in doubt if your tires need replacement, play it safe and have them inspected by a professional. Your life depends on those four small patches of rubber!
Tire Safety Tips and Frequently Asked Questions
Check Your Tire Pressure
The most important thing you can do to ensure safe and long-lasting tires is to check your tire pressure regularly. Under-inflated tires wear out faster and reduce gas mileage. Over-inflated tires can affect handling and braking. Use a reliable tire pressure gauge and check your tires when they’re cold for an accurate reading. The correct PSI levels for your tires can be found in the owner’s manual or placard located in the driver's side door jamb or fuel door.
Inspect Your Tires
In addition to pressure, you should inspect your tires at least once a month for any signs of damage or excessive wear. Look for visible cracks, splits, punctures, or bulges in the sidewalls. Make sure the tread is worn evenly and still has good depth. Uneven or rapid tread wear can indicate alignment or balance issues and reduce the life of the tire. Most tires will need replacement after six years, regardless of tread life.
Rotate Your Tires
For the best performance and maximum mileage, rotate your tires every 5,000 to 10,000 miles. Rotating the tires means moving them to different positions on the axles. This helps ensure even tread wear. Unless your vehicle has staggered size tires, the typical rotation pattern is front to back. Check your owner’s manual for the recommended rotation pattern.
Balance and Alignment
Out-of-balance or misaligned tires can wear out faster and reduce handling and braking performance. Have your tires balanced when rotated or if you notice excessive vibration. Alignment should be checked at least once a year or if you notice the vehicle pulling to one side. Misalignment is often caused by hitting a curb or pothole.
Keeping a close eye on your tires and performing regular maintenance will help ensure maximum safety, performance and mileage. If you do notice any signs of damage or excessive wear, have the tires checked by a professional as soon as possible. It’s not worth risking your safety by driving on unsafe tires.
Conclusion
So there you have it - the basics of inspecting your tires. Keeping up with routine checks and learning what to look for can really pay off when it comes to tire safety and saving money in the long run. Don't stress too much about getting everything perfect. Just take a few minutes each month to do a quick visual inspection and check the air pressure. If something seems off, you can always take it in to have a pro give the tires a closer look. Maintaining your tires is one of the easiest things you can do to keep your car in good shape. Take care of your tires and they'll take care of you!
