How Can You Tell You Need New Tires?

When you walk long distances, do your feet get tired? Now imagine walking hundreds of miles at 60 miles per hour – how do your feet feel now? Like our feet, tires get worn out. And, unfortunately, tires that are worn out can easily cause an unwanted accident. So, to keep ourselves safe, it is important that we change our tires when our old ones are in poor condition. But how do you know when it’s time to get new tires? You could have a mechanic look at your car, but that will cost you money. Luckily, there are several ways that you can check your tires yourself. Let’s find out how.
 

Firstly, check your tread depth. When driving your vehicle, especially in rainy or snowy weather conditions, you want to make sure you have a deep tread. Generally speaking, you never want your tread depth to fall below 1.6 millimeters, and even at that depth, you may be pushing your luck. There are two ways that you can check the depth of your tread. The first is with a gauge (that can be purchased at any auto-mechanic shop). More easily (and cheaply), however, you can check your depth using a penny (must be an Abe Lincoln penny). Take the penny and insert it into your tread, head-down. If, once you do this, you can see all of Abe Lincolns head, than it is definitely time for some new tires!
 

If your tires are newer, you may not even need to check the tread on your own. Many new tires have built-in tread wear indicator bars. When you first purchase new tires in Riverside, CA, these indicator bars will be virtually invisible. However, as the tread begins to wear down, you will gradually see them appear as they become more and more visible. If you can see two or more of these bars on your tire, it is time to have it replaced.
 

Aside from checking the tread of your tire for wear, you should also be checking your sidewall. Examine your sidewall closely for any cracks, grooves, or cuts. If there are any visible problems in your sidewall, your tire could be leaking or could be ready to blow. Sidewall cracks are a serious issue and should be handled immediately. If you notice any cracks in your sidewall, be sure to take your vehicle in to have its tires changed as soon as possible.
 

Also, look at the surface of the tire itself. If you notice any bulges or blisters on the tire, this is once again a very serious problem. Bulges or blisters mean that your tire has a weak spot and that it could blow out at any time. If you notice this problem, take your car to the mechanic immediately and have your tire replaced!
 

Finally, feel for vibrations while you are driving. Of course, any time we take the car for a ride there will be some vibrations. Abnormal vibrations, however, could be a sign that something is wrong with the balance or alignment of your tires. It could also mean that something is wrong with the tire itself.
 

If the tread depth on your tire is running low, if you notice wear on your sidewall, if you see blisters on the tire, or if you notice any abnormal vibrations while driving, it may be time to change your tires - take your vehicle to the repair shop as soon as possible. If you don’t, you could be putting yourself and your passengers at risk. 

Ramona Tire & Automotive Service Centers offer complete auto repair in Riverside, CA.

Ramona Tire & Automotive Service Centers
3255 Van Buren Blvd.
Riverside CA 92503
951-785-8590