If one of your car tires just blew out, getting it fixed is your only option. In some situations, it might not be as evident that you need to get new tires. You might have no idea that you’re driving in a car with an unsteady set of tires, making it quite unsafe for travel.
Inspecting your tires at least once in a while will protect you from dangerous scenarios. It could minimize accidents on the road by allowing you to change your tires before they blow out. Your voyages will be much safer with a new set of replacement tires installed.
How can you tell when your car’s tires are old and worn down? Look out for these signs that indicate you need new tires on your vehicle.
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1. The tread of your tires looks worn out
If you notice tread wear when taking a close look at your tires, it might be time to change them. The question is: how much wear is too much?
To figure it out, take a dime, and place it inside the grooves of a tire with the Queen’s head facing down. If her head is entirely visible, you should get new tires. If half of her head is hidden by the tire, you can wait some more.
2. You notice uneven wear on your tires
If the wear on your tires seems uneven, it could be because there is a problem with your tires’ pressure. The problem may also lie with the alignment of your wheels.
You should always take uneven tire wear seriously. Change your tires and see a mechanic so they can check if your wheels need to be aligned. You should also think about rotating your tires periodically if you have never done it.
3. Your tires don’t have any tread anymore
If you see that your tires no longer have any tread, you need to replace them with new tires as soon as possible. Driving on bald tires is extremely dangerous. Even if the road is not icy, wet or snowy, your tires could fail any time They could make it difficult for you to turn corners, brake, or simply drive your car safely.
4. There are holes or cracks on your tire sidewalls
Your car tires are always exposed to the elements, but they can also roll over something sharp whenever you drive. A punctured or slashed tire is a sure sign that your car needs new tires.
If you notice holes or cracks on the sidewalls, you should also consider getting new tires soon. Fine cracks might not look too dangerous at first. However, if you keep driving on your cracked tires, the issue will worsen until the internal parts of your tires are exposed.
5. You notice a bulge on your tire sidewalls
Bulges on the sidewalls of your tires are another sign that something is wrong. Maybe your tires rolled over a deep pothole, or perhaps they are simply getting old.
A bulge is caused by some air getting between the inner and outer layers of a tire. This results in an air pocket that becomes a weak spot in the tire, and it could blow any time while you are driving.
6. Your tires have leaks
If you regularly monitor your tire’s air pressure, you know it’s normal for them to lose approximately one pound per square inch of pressure each month.
But if your tires start losing more pressure than that, it could signify they are leaking some air. Depending on where the air is leaking from, you might be able to get your tire repaired, or you might need to replace it.
7. You notice a strange vibration when you are driving
If you feel unusual vibrations while your hands are on the steering wheel and you are not driving on a bumpy road, it could be a sign that something is wrong with your tires. Vibrations can signal that your wheels are out of balance or that something is damaged inside your tires. You should see a mechanic as soon as possible to figure out what the problem is.
8. Your tires’ tread-life warranty is up
Did your tires come with a tread-life warranty? Such a warranty can cover your tires for up to 5 or 6 years from when you purchased them. It guarantees that they should last for a certain number of miles during that time. However, if your tread-life warranty is up, it might be a good idea to start thinking about getting new tires, even if they don’t seem that worn out.
9. Your tires are more than 10 years old
Did you know that tires have a date stamp that shows when they were manufactured? Try to locate this date on your tires. Tire manufacturers recommend you should ideally change your tires every 5 or 6 years. If your tires are 10 years old, or more than that, you really should get new tires so you can stay safe while on the road.