You don’t need a science degree to know that your tires will get worn out after some use. After thousands of miles on the road and in different weather conditions, the tread on your tires will become shallower and less efficient at stopping and handling the car. Furthermore, driving with worn out tires can cause other car parts like breaks to wear out faster.
So, to avoid further damage to your car and to keep yourself from harm, you need to change your tires when the time comes. But how do you know the right time for a tire change? Well, there are a couple of obvious warning signs that you need to pay attention to, and we will talk about all of them right here. So, let’s begin.
Tire cracks and slices
The most obvious sign that your tires might be close to an end are the cracks and slices on their sides. While tire rubber is extremely durable, it is not immune to damage from outside sources. Add to this that roads are not the cleanest things in the world, and you get a recipe for tire disaster. Sure, running over a piece of glass, a nail or any other sharp object is not that common, but it is still something that you need to pay attention to. So, if you see some deep slices on the side of your tire, take it to a professional tire shop and try to get it patched.
Furthermore, weather can also cause cracks on the side of your tires. Freezing temperatures can make your tires stiffer, which can lead to cracks. On the other hand, extremely dry and hot weather can create similar abrasions on the side. Regardless of the size and depth of the damage, you should have it checked out.
More than 50,000 miles on the road
As any other item, tires have an expiration date. While milk and other dairy products have their expiration dates measured to a minute, tires are a bit different. The general rule that most car repair shops follow is that tires should be replaced every 50,000 miles. Regardless if you drive that distance in a year or a couple of years, you should have them replaced after you hit the 50k milestone.
Of course, this is not a strict rule; some tires can be in great shape even after they have been on the road for that long, and some may need replacing much sooner. Luckily websites like this one offer fantastic replacement reminders. Just type in some information about your driving habits, style, and vehicle, and they will ping you when the time is right.
Visible bulges
Next, you should inspect your tires for visible bulges. These usually form around weakened spots on tires, and they are a dead giveaway that you need a new tire. For example, if the tire rubber gets too thin in one area, the air from the inside of the tire will try to escape, resulting in a bulge. Tire bulges are extremely dangerous, as they can burst at any moment and spiral your car out of control.
Shallow tire tread
Tire tread is one of their most important features. It improves handling in bad weather conditions, help you stop in a shorter distance and generally boost the performance of your car. As you can imagine, if the tire tread has become shallow, that means it’s time for a new set of tires.
There is no way to patch or repair tire tread like you can do with cracks or bulges. So, you will just have to buy new tires instead. Many tires today have special tread wear indicators on them. These small patches of rubber are placed in the tire grooves, and if they start wearing out, it’s time for a new set.
Unusual vibrations while driving
Finally, if you experience unusual vibrations while driving, worn out tires may be causing them. Of course, with all those bumps on the road, some level of vibration is to be expected during a ride. However, if you notice your car shaking on one side or if it’s an uneven vibration, then you should get your car inspected. While unbalanced and “bald” tires could cause this behaviour, in some situations the problem could be with your suspension, or even the engine.
And that is all for today. As you can see, there are more than a couple of warning signs for worn out tires, so it will be hard to miss all of them. Of course, make sure to do a visual inspection first and look for cracks and bulges. If you are still not certain whether your tires are ripe for the retirement, then let some professionals look at them.