Three Signs It's Time To Replace Your Tires
ShareWhen it comes to your vehicle, tires are one of the most important components. Although they don't necessarily affect the mechanical functional of your vehicle, if your tires are bad, your car may not move. Fortunately, tires will typically display signs that they are in need of replacement long before you end up stranded on the side of the road. Make sure you know how to recognize these signs to prevent a stressful scenario.
Vibration
It's normal to feel some level of resistance from the road when you're driving, but if you're experiencing significant vibration, this should be cause for concern. Vibration in your steering wheel can be an indication that your tires are operating at different levels of wear.
For example, the tires on the left side of the vehicle might have 4/32" of tread depth, but the tires on the right side are at 2/32" of wear. This can make for an uncomfortable ride and increase the level of wear on your new tires. Depending on how significant the wear imbalance is, this could put extra pressure on the old tires and cause them to pop.
Sidewall Cracks
The sidewall of your tires should be smooth. Any cracks along this area is an indication that it's time to replace the tire. Sidewall cracks typically occur when a tire is either severely worn or has sustained damage.
If left unaddressed, this crack will turn into a leak and in extreme situations, it could even lead to a blowout while you're driving, which is a serious safety hazard for you and other motorists on the road. Make it a point to visually inspect the exterior of your tires from time to time.
Age
Another indicator that it might be a good idea to consider a tire replacement is the age of your tires. Even if your tires have a good level of tread left and you aren't noticing any other outward signs of damage, some tires do have an expiration point. Some experts place this time stamp right around six years and others say 10 years.
Since there are so many factors that can influence the life of a tire, such as driving conditions and tire care, there's no exact date. However, it might at least be helpful to have the tires checked by a professional around these year marks to stay on the safe side.
Don't let bad tires keep you from being mobile. Keep your eyes and ears open for signs of replacement. If your tires do fail, contact Exit 48-24 Hour Repair or a similar towing company.