Your tires connect your car or truck to the ground and are one of the most important components of your vehicle. Knowing when your tires need replacing is essential to your safety, your passengers, and other drivers on the road.
Here are three things to look for when determining if your tires need replacing.
How Old Are Your Tires?
Tires can wear out even if you don’t drive your car often. Rubber breaks down over time. This process can be accelerated if your tires are left in direct exposure to UV sunlight. Your tires may dry out if this is the case, leaving them more susceptible to a blowout. The rule of thumb is any tires over ten years old are no longer considered safe for use and should be replaced. The date your tire was produced can be found on your tire’s sidewall.
Are Your Tires Balding?
Tire tread is designed to have a specific depth to channel away dirt, water, mud, and other debris on the road. Friction causes tires to wear down as you drive. This is normal, and you can do little to prevent this from happening. Bald tires look and feel smooth with hardly any visible grooves on the surface. Tires worn down to the point of baldness are less effective at keeping your vehicle under control in harsh weather conditions. Some tires have wear indicators that show when wear has exceeded the allowed limit.
You may also have heard of the penny test. Take a penny and turn it, so Lincoln’s head is facing down into the tread. If his head disappears into the tire, you likely have enough tread for the time being. If you can still see most of his head, your tread is no longer deep enough, and you should replace your tires ASAP.
Don’t Ignore Sidewall and Tread Damage
Rubber is a material that can become damaged with use. It would be beneficial if you immediately replaced tires with cracks in the sidewall, chunks of tread missing, or bubbles forming due to the inner liner being damaged after hitting a pothole or a curb. Driving on damaged tires can increase your risk of a blowout and could lead to serious injury or death.
Schedule Tire Replacement Service With McCullough NAPA
The professionals at McCullough NAPA Auto Care can help determine whether your tires need replacing or not. When it comes to your safety, tire integrity is not something you want to overlook. Give us a call or click here to schedule your tire appointment online.
