How To Know when the car tires need to be replaced.
Is it time to replace your car tires?Maintaining the safety, performance, and efficiency of your vehicle is dependent on the tire's performance.At some point, your tires will start to wear out and lose their traction.If you're wondering when to start looking for new tires, there are a few tips that can help.
Step 1: If you're in a region, check for tread recommendations.
The primary function of tire tread is to divert water from beneath the tire to improve traction and avoid hydroplaning on wet roads.The tire is no longer safe and illegal in most areas of the world once the tread is down to 32 inch (0.16 cm).The transportation department has tire tread requirements for each state.You can find tread laws in your country by calling or email the department of transportation.When a tire's remaining tread depth is less than 16 inch (0.16 cm), it is considered to be legally worn out.The minimum depth for tire tread in the U.K. is 0.0456 inches across the central 1/3 of the tread around the whole tire.
Step 2: If the tread bar is not flush with the tire tread, you need to replace your tires.
There are tread wear bars on all tires sold in the U.S. and most other countries.The bars become flush with the tread as your tires wear.The tread is worn to 32 inch (0.16 cm) and needs to be replaced immediately.When looking at your tire wear bars, be sure to look at the entire wheel, not just one location.
Step 3: You can check the wear of your tread by putting a Lincoln penny into it.
Put a Lincoln penny upside down with Lincoln facing you in the center of the tire's thickest part.If you can see the top of Lincoln's head, you should replace the tire.If you can't see the hair on Lincoln's head, your tire does not need to be replaced.Queen Elizabeth's crown should be facing down if you have a Canadian nickel.The tire is below 32 inch and needs to be replaced if the crown is visible.You should put the coin at points from the outside to the inside of your tires because they don't wear evenly.Over-inflated tires wear more in the middle than on the inside.A tread depth gauge is used for a more accurate measurement.
Step 4: A tread depth indicator can be used for a more accurate measurement.
The probe should be placed in the center of one of the tire grooves.Take care not to touch the probe and note the tread depth after removing the gauge by the barrel.Average the numbers for locations around the center tire grooves that are at least 15 inches apart.If the depth is less than 32 inch, replace the tires.If you want to average those numbers, repeat this process for the outer and inner grooves.Divide the total by the number of individual measurements you made along the tread.Push the tread depth gauge against a flat, hard surface to make sure it hits zero.Don't put the tread gauge on the raised surfaces.
Step 5: If you notice tread wear, bring your car in for maintenance.
This could be a sign of wheel alignment, improper inflation pressure, or the need for tire rotation.Uneven tread wear is a sign that you need to take your car in for servicing.If your tires wear out much faster than expected and you need to replace them, you should have a competent tire workshop check your suspension and correct it.Proper alignment or worn suspension parts can shorten a tire's life.If you want to avoid irregular tread wear, place your tires in pairs.Move the front tires to the back.
Step 6: Check for bulges or bubbles in the wall.
When the car is parked, the tire is outside the rim.A bulge is a sign that the tire's rigid internal frame has been damaged or cracked.Any tires with bulges should be replaced immediately.Damage could be caused by driving through a large hole, driving over a curb, or driving with low tire pressure.Don't drive on a tire that has a bulge.The structural integrity of the tire has been reduced, which means that it is more likely to fail at highway speeds.
Step 7: If your steering wheel is vibrating, balance your tires.
The steering wheel may vibrate if your tires are worn unevenly.You probably need to balance your tires if the vibration starts at 40 to 50 mph (64.37 to 80.47 km/h) as you increase your speed.The tire is most likely damaged and needs a full replacement if that doesn't stop the vibration.If you don't experience tread damage, try balancing and aligning your tires.If you notice tire damage like abnormal bulges and irregular tread wear, you should replace your tire.If you notice that your tires are cupped, they aren't being rotation enough.
Step 8: Have the affected tires inspected or replaced.
The rubber on your tires is breaking down if you see cracks.Dry rot can cause tires to fall apart and cause damage to the car's exterior.If your wheels start rotting before the tread starts to diminish, you should bring them in to be inspected or replaced.Bring your car in for a check-up on a regular basis to make sure you don't have dry rot.If your tires are exposed to a high degree of sunlight, you should degrease them.
Step 9: Your tires should be replaced at least every 6 years.
The wall of the tire has a code on it.Most governmental transportation departments place 4-digit numbers on the wall of each tire.The first two numbers represent the week and the last two are the year.The tire was made in the 12th week of 2008.The tire should be replaced if it is more than 6 years old.If you're having trouble finding the number, look for the DOT initials, followed by other letters and numbers.The code will not contain letters.Although 10 years is the maximum service life for tires, they should never be used as themaximum drive time.If you suspect your vehicle has tires that are over 6 years old, be careful.If the tread is below the minimum depth recommendation, you should always change your tires.