When it comes to safety on the road, keeping a close eye on the condition of your tires is crucial. In order to maintain traction, grip, and optimal performance of your tires on the road, you need to be aware of the signs that your tires may need to be replaced. In this tire guide, we will outline the telltale signs that suggest it's time for new tires, and we’ll get into some best practices when it comes to keeping your tires in good shape for as long as possible.
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There are several indications that your tires need replacing:
The tread on your tires refers to the rubber on your tires that makes contact with the ground when driving. The structure of the tread is important in creating traction on the ground so that the tires do not slide. As you drive, the tire tread slowly wears down and the tires become less effective at providing this necessary traction.
One easy way to check that your tread depth is sufficient is through the penny test. Place a penny within the grooves of the tread on your tires, and if the tread comes close to the top of Lincoln’s head, your tires are worn and likely need to be replaced.
With Curbee’s Signature Health Check, we’ll check this for you at your service.
Tires are meant to wear evenly across the tread. If you check your tire tread and notice that different parts of your tire (or different tires) are wearing unevenly or at different rates, this is likely a sign that your tires have become misaligned, have improper tire inflation, or potential suspension problems.
Thus, if you notice significant differences among the surface wear of your tires, this is a sign that you should get your tires inspected, and likely replaced. Curbee’s Tire Replacement service not only includes a thorough inspection of your tires and tire replacement at your doorstep, but also includes realignment to ensure that all four of your vehicle’s tires are aligned correctly, and will wear evenly next time.
Examine the circumference of your tires for any visible damage, like cracks, cuts, or bulges (particularly on the sidewalls of your tires). Damage on your tires generally indicates that the tires are weakened, due to age or other factors. If you notice any of these signs on your tires, you likely need a tire replacement.
Your tire pressure gauge is a great way to stay on top of your tire health. It is normal that your tires lose pressure once in a while, particularly in colder temperatures or after long periods of no use. However, if your tire pressure is frequently low, even after reinflating, this is an indication that your tires are faulty and need to be replaced. Generally, if your tire pressure reaches significantly low pressure levels, there exists a high risk of tire failure, and a potential blowout, which is very dangerous. If you notice low tire pressure on one or multiple tires, it’s time for a checkup.
Excessive vibrations while driving, particularly when accelerating at high speeds, are an indication that one or more of your tires might be worn or out of balance. A standard tire rotation can generally help with this issue, but might sometimes require a full tire replacement depending on the severity of vibrations.
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Sufficient tread on your tires is essential to providing traction when roads are wet. When the tread on your tires becomes worn, you will likely have less grip on wet surfaces. If you notice your car beginning to slip and slide during periods of rain, it is time for new tires.
Tires do not last forever. Even if they appear to be in good condition, it is a good idea to pay attention to mileage limits depending on the tire manufacturer’s recommendations, or replace your tires if they are over 6 years old. With Curbee’s Signature Health Check, we’ll let you know if your tires need replacing soon.
There are a few things you can do to make sure that your tires stay in good condition for as long as possible:
Make sure to perform regular tire inspections, whether on your own or using a professional service. Check your tires for signs of wear, damage, or foreign objects. Similarly, inspect the tread on your tires using the penny method mentioned above to ensure the tread is not overly worn.
Pay close attention to your tire pressure gauge, as this will give you a good indication of when your tires might need replacing. If your tire pressure is consistently low, even after reinflating them, they likely need to be replaced.
Regular tire rotations, wheel balancing, and alignments are helpful for keeping your tires strong and correctly aligned. Rotating the tires helps to distribute the weight evenly onto your tires, promoting balanced and even wear on your different tires. Tire rotations are typically recommended every 5,000-7,500 miles, but differ based on the type of tire. Curbee’s Standard Tire Rotation service will help you stay on top of your tire maintenance while performing the service wherever you are. Wheel alignment and balancing is important to ensuring your tires wear properly.
If you live in a temperate climate with extreme hot or cold weather, consider using seasonal tires. Specialized tires help to maximize performance during extreme weather conditions. If you need to store your tires for an extended period of time, make sure to do so in proper storage conditions.
Periodic inspections and maintenance appointments are the best way to ensure your tires are in proper shape. A qualified professional can help you to inspect the condition of your tires, perform necessary repairs and alignments, and provide expert advice on your specific situation.
Curbee offers top-notch Tire Replacement services designed to provide you with a convenient and thorough service. Our technicians will come to your preferred location, saving you time and hassle. We can perform tire alignments and rotations as needed to ensure your new tires wear evenly and maintain optimal performance. Curbee’s services come with our Signature Health Check, in which our technicians will check the other major aspects of your vehicle and give you a simple result to make car maintenance easy.
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