To be frank, attempting to determine the precise time that you need new tires is like winning the lottery. Extremely difficult. Still, there are ways to measure a vague timeframe of when it’s necessary to consider buying new tires. What we can be certain of is that the more wear and tear a tire undergoes, the closer is gets being in a state of high-risk. The original purpose of a tire tread’s design is to reroute the liquids and debris from underneath the tire to improve traction of a wet surface. When a tire gets worn down, the tread’s design is no longer effective, which put the driver of that vehicle in danger. As soon as a tire wears down to 1/16th of an inch, it is deemed as undependable. Many professionals suggest that you don’t wait that long to get new tires because you will be putting your safety at risk.
There are various factors that control the lifespan of a tire, such as:
• Driving style
• Conditions of the road
• Weather
• Driver’s attentiveness to their tires
• Type of tire
The Penny Diagnostic
Did you know you can determine the condition of your tires for as low as one cent? Most commonly known as the penny test, you can test your tire’s tread by inserting your penny into various grooves along the tread. If the top of Lincoln’s head is showing when you put the penny in, that means that tread is low and your tires are unsafe. At this point you’ll want to seriously consider replacing your tires. On the other hand, if you can’t see Lincoln’s head, that means you have about 2/32 of an inch remaining before you need to think about getting new tires.
Other Factors
A wheel alignment is the process of adjusting your car’s suspension components to bring the wheels and tires into specific angles, which facilitates optimal vehicle handling, tire wear, and performance. Under normal driving conditions, a wheel alignment once or twice per year is recommended; however, there is no guaranteed length of time your vehicle will stay in alignment. For example, if you hit a huge pothole leaving the auto repair shop, your wheel alignment could be undone immediately. When you get new tires, getting a wheel alignment as well is a smart idea, especially if your old, dismounted tires show signs of uneven wear. Getting a wheel alignment will help ensure proper tire wear and full tire life for your new tires.
Time for New Tires? Call Us Today!
Equally as important as the condition of your tires, is making sure your tire alignment is correct. Good tire alignment helps your tires in optimizing their performance and allows them to last longer. Tire alignment also decreases the pulling of your vehicle in one direction while driving and gives the driver a better sense of control over the vehicle as a whole. If you haven’t gotten your tires aligned in a while, come in today so we can take care of that for you.