09 Jun 5 Signs That You Need New Tires
The condition of your tires has a direct impact on the efficiency, performance, and most importantly, the safety of your vehicle. Tires take a real beating while driving. Hazardous road conditions, incorrect air pressure, extreme temperatures, and even ‘normal wear’, all contribute to the degradation of your tires. As the tread wears down, you can lose traction and braking ability. This means that it may take a longer distance to slow and eventually stop your vehicle. Then, when you factor in things like large potholes and road debris that can create bulges and damage your sidewall, it’s almost a miracle when our tires reach their expiration date before needing to be replaced.
Show Me The Signs
Below are 5 signs that you need new tires.
1: Tread Depth
The tread on your tires should never get below 1/16”. How can you tell? You can actually buy a little tool at any of the automotive parts stores near you to accurately measure the tread depth. Or, you can use a penny. Yup, you heard that right. Simply place President Lincoln’s head down into the tread channel. If you can see his whole head, you need new tires. If the top of his head is hidden, then your tread is still good.
Some newer tires come with tread bars molded into the rubber, perpendicular to the flow of the tread. They can’t be readily seen when the tread is new, but slowly become visible as the tread wears down. If the tread bar is even to the surface of the tire tread, you need new tires.
2: Tire Wear
Tire wear is normal and inevitable. But how the tires wear makes a big difference. In a perfect world, the tread should wear evenly across the entire tread surface of the tire. But many factors can affect the ways the tread wears down. Inaccurate tire air pressure (too high or too low), tires being out of balance, and wheels being out of alignment, are just a few factors that can cause issues with tire wear. Things to look for when assessing the need for tire replacement:
- Uneven Tread Wear (Inner, Outer, Center)
- Bald Spots
- Exposed Steel Belts
3: Tire Damage
If you rack up a lot of miles in your car (or even if you don’t), then you have probably had tire damage at one time or another. That surprise 2×4 laying in the middle of the road, or a giant pothole that you couldn’t avoid. One time, when I had a new home construction crew on my block, I ended up with a 4” screw in my tire. Sometimes damaged tires can be repaired and sometimes they need to be replaced. If you see any of the following issue with your tires, have a technician look them over:
- Bulges or Blisters
- Bubbles or Voids
- Cracks in the Rubber
- Foreign Debris (nails, screws, wood, etc.)
4: Constant Low Air Pressure
If you are always putting air in your tires (even if it’s just one), then you most likely have a slow leak. The reasons are many, but it’s a good idea to take it in for a thorough inspection to find out if the tire/s can be repaired, or if it is time to replace them. Driving with too little air in your tires can cause uneven wear and can be dangerous.
5: Time Milestone
Most automobile manufacturers recommend replacing your tires every 6 years, regardless of tire tread wear. Most tire manufacturers recommend tire replacement every 10 years. A qualified tire center can help you determine the right time to replace your tires. To be clear, these time frames start from when the tire was manufactured, not installed. All tires should have a date stamp code on them which shows when (and often where) the tire was made. If your tires are out-of-date, then replacing them is the safest choice.
Show Me The Solution
Find a quality shop that offers experienced technicians and a good selection of name brand tires.
Need New Tires: Visit A Tire Center
Plymouth Auto & Tire Center can provide service for all of your tire needs. We do everything from tire repair & replacement, to wheel alignment, tire balancing, and rotation. While we are servicing your tires, we can also inspect your brakes and suspension.
We are proud to carry the following brands of tires:
- Goodyear
- Kelly Tires
- Michelin
- BF Goodrich
- Continental
- Cooper Tires
- Toyo Tires
- Yokohama
- Kumho Tires
- Mastercraft
- General Tire
- Pirelli
- Dunlop Tires
Request a Tires Quote
At Plymouth Auto & Tire Center, getting a quote for new tires is easy!
Simply contact us by phone (610) 825-6558 or visit us online to request a quote.