Before you hit the road, you need to make sure your vehicle is working well to ensure your safety. One of the most critical vehicle components you should check is your tires. Making sure your tires are in top condition doesn’t just ensure your vehicle works well on the road, but it also keeps you safe on the road.
Worn tires can impart your vehicle’s ability to handle harsh weather conditions such as rain and snow. Additionally, when your tire treads have worn out, other elements of your car can wear down more quickly. Therefore, it’s essential to maintain the health of your tires. So, how do you know it’s time for tire replacement? Let’s discuss!
Signs you Should Replace your Tires
Here are five signs that it’s time to replace your tires:
1. Tread Depth
The tread of your tires should never be less than 1.6 millimeters. If you drive in slick or wet conditions frequently, you’ll benefit from maintaining double that depth to ensure your safety on the road. Many tires have tread wear bars that indicate how much wear there is on your tires. When your tires are fresh, these bars aren’t quickly apparent. However, as your tires age, they become more noticeable. It is always a good idea to replace your tires before you notice the treadwear indication, as driving without the appropriate tire treads can be a safety hazard.
2. Unusual Noises or Vibrations
Even on simple roads, strange or excessive sounds and vibrations from your tires indicate various problems, from worn suspension parts to poor wheel alignment to underinflated tires. Whatever the cause, you should your vehicle to a local mechanic immediately if you notice unusual noises or vibrations while driving. Since the vibration can cause damage to your tire or uneven tread wear, you may need tire replacements over time.
3. Sidewall Cracks
Examine the sidewalls of your tires to look for hairline cracks, cuts, or grooves. If they’re visible to the naked eye, you need to contact your local mechanic immediately for an inspection. Since small leaks can easily lead to a blowout, you need to repair or replace your tires immediately if there’s a visible issue.
4. Bulges and Blisters
The outer layer of your tire deteriorates over time. As a result, bulges, blisters, and swelling can occur. This creates a weak point in your tire that can easily lead to a sudden blowout if it’s not addressed. If you notice visible bulges or blisters on your tires, you need to contact your local mechanic immediately for an inspection, so the issue doesn’t get worse.
5. Driving on a Spare
When you have a flat tire and need a quick replacement, a spare tire comes in handy. However, driving on a spare tire for an extended time is not suitable for your vehicle or the tire. Spare tires are only a temporary solution to get your car from one point to another until you buy new tires. Since spare tires aren’t as durable as regular tires and offer less traction, you should get your spare replaced immediately. If you need a reliable and affordable Riverside auto repair shop, we’re here to help!
