How To Tell When You Need New Tires
Your tires are one of the essential features of your vehicle, and keeping them in good condition is paramount to a safe driving experience. Worn-out tires increase your chances of an automobile accident and make your driving experience more challenging. Tire-related accidents cause over 200 fatalities annually, but knowing when you need new tires with the topics below will allow you to continue driving a safe vehicle.
Check the Tread Depth | The Penny Test
One of the easiest ways to confirm that you need new tires is by conducting the penny test. Tire tread indicates the wear on your tires, and the penny test puts this wear into perspective.
Stick a penny with Abraham Lincoln's head facing the tire. If the tread goes at least to his forehead, your tires have great tread. If you see Abe's whole head, it's time to schedule a service appointment.
Check the Tread Wear Indicators
Tread wear indicators are small bars of raised rubber that run perpendicular to your tire tread. When your tread wears down, these bars will be flush with the rest of the tire. Checking these indicators is a quick and easy way to confirm that it's time to search for new tires near me.
Look for Uneven Wear Patterns | Alignment and Suspension Issues
How tread wears off your vehicle can indicate and reveal issues with your vehicle's alignment and suspension. If you notice that one side of your tread is higher than another, this suggests a vehicle alignment, inflation, or suspension problem. Getting your tires rotated and your suspension checked with a new tire shop near me is one of the easiest ways to resolve these issues.
Inspect the Sidewalls | Notice Bulges
Bulges in your tire's sidewalls are dangerous and can quickly lead to a blowout. These bulges often develop because you've hit an object or could indicate a manufacturing defect.
Regardless of where bulges come from, they are a serious issue you shouldn't ignore. Bubbles and bumps are like hernias in your tire and put you at significant risk for a blowout and a possible vehicle accident.
Check for Cupping | Shock Absorber Issues
Tire cupping is another issue that indicates problems with your car's suspension and shock absorption. Proper tires maintain constant contact with the road providing a smooth driving experience.
When your car's suspension or alignment is off, certain sections of your tires hit the ground more forcefully and lose tread. You can identify tire cupping if only parts of your tire are indented while other parts still appear new.
Tire Pressure Light | Tire Pressure Doesn't Hold
Your vehicle's tire pressure light will illuminate when your tires require more air. Although this is normal, a light that continues to come on after you fill them might indicate a more serious issue.
Sometimes small nails or other sharp objects lodge into your tires and can cause them to lose air more quickly. While these objects might not cause a blowout, they will cause your tires to lose air pressure quickly.
Your Vehicle Shakes or Vibrates
One of the most crucial factors to consider when your car shakes is the speed you are driving when it occurs. If your car shakes or vibrates at both fast and slow speeds, this could be a problem with your tires. When the metal belts inside your tires slip, it causes vibrations and requires new tires to return to normal.
Cords or Metal Wire Are Showing
Stop driving immediately if the cords or metal wires inside your tires are visible. Cords and metal wiring are the primary support structures inside your tire but should not be visible. Driving on them is very dangerous and requires immediate attention.
Sierra Blanca Motors | Your Local Dealership When You New Tires | Ruidoso, NM
When you need new tires, contact Sierra Blanca Motors. Our family-run dealership and automobile services treat all vehicles we service as if they were our own. Contact us at 575-315-0145 to learn how our comprehensive services can benefit your vehicle.
