Tires are one of the most critical parts of the car when it comes to safety. Old tires with worn tread will not provide the traction you need in any condition, and they are also at risk for a blowout. There are many things that could go wrong if you don’t have good tires on your car, so it is important to know the warning signs that your tires need replacing. Make sure you can spot the signs that your vehicle needs new tires.
Bald Tires
Just looking at your tires is one of the easiest ways to tell if you need new ones. If the tread is completely worn down and the tires look bald, they are at risk of failure. This is a dangerous situation not only when the roads are wet or icy but even on smooth, dry pavement. If your tires have bald spots, make sure to bring your vehicle to your service center as soon as possible to get new tires.
Visible Cracks
Bald tires are just one visual indication of aging. You should also check the sidewalls, too. These will start to crack over time as part of the natural aging process of the tire. Damaged sidewalls can cause a blowout that could result in an accident. Keep in mind that this can happen faster in areas where snow and ice are common in the winter. Poor alignment can also cause sidewall damage, so make sure to check them regularly.
Bulges and Blisters
When the outer surface of the tire starts to get weak, bulges will start to form. You’ll notice spots that extend outward from the surface of the tires, indicating a weak spot. Make sure to bring your vehicle into your service center as soon as possible, so you don’t end up with a blowout.
Extra Vibration
Every car has some amount of vibration when you drive it down the road, especially if it is not well taken care of. You should take note of the amount of vibration you usually feel in your vehicle, and if you start to feel more than what is normal, then get your tires checked. Extra vibration could indicate several things, but the most common is a problem with the tires. If the issue is not the tires, excess vibration can damage the tires, and you’ll end up having to change them anyway.
Worn Tread
You can do a simple check of the tread at home to see if it is getting low. Just take a penny and put it down in between the tread with the head down. If you can’t see the top of Lincoln’s head, then you still have a good amount of tread. If you can see the top of the head, then you should bring your car in for new tires.
Always pay attention to what is going on with your vehicle. Anything out of the ordinary should be investigated to make sure you stay safe on the road.
