Your tires are one of the most essential parts of your vehicle. They play a significant role in how safe your car is and how well it performs. Therefore, it’s necessary that you keep an eye on your tires and replace them when the time comes. Below, we’ll describe some key signs and situations that will tell you it’s time to replace your tires; we’ll also tell you how to properly take care of your tires to extend their lives.
Lack of Tread
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A significant indicator that you need new tires is when there is a visible lack of tread. The tread on a tire refers to the pattern of ridges that helps the tire grip the road. As you use your tires, friction wears the rubber down, until eventually, your tires begin to look smooth. Smooth tires, also known as bald tires, are more likely to experience a blowout, hydroplaning, and a loss of control in bad weather.
You should regularly inspect your tires to ensure there is still plenty of treads left on them. Many new tires have built-in wear bars, which are rubber bars that are perpendicular to the tire tread. If you see this bar, or if your tire looks bald, it’s time for a replacement.
Cracks or Gouges
Another thing to look for when inspecting your tires is the presence of any visible cracks or gouges along the sides. Over time our tires wear down due to use and weather conditions. As this happens, the integrity of the tire begins to fail, resulting in cracks or gouges. The longer you wait to replace these tires, the more likely it is that you’ll experience a problem with them. A quick inspection before you get into your car can go a long way toward ensuring you’re driving on safe tires.
Excessive Vibration
When you’re driving your car, you shouldn’t feel any excessive vibration. Some vibrations are standard, such as when your engine runs or you go over some uneven pavement. But if your car is vibrating to the point where it’s uncomfortable to drive, then you have an issue.
Several things could be causing this vibration, one of which is old or misaligned tires. If your tires are relatively new, then you may just need to have them realigned or balanced to fix the issue. However, if your tires are a little older, you may have a problem with the interior of the tires, which means it’s time to replace them.
Past the Warranty Period
Most tires come with a warranty that covers the tread. This means that you are protected financially for either a certain number of miles or years. These warranties are typically designed to last until right around when you should replace your tires. Therefore, if you’ve passed the warranty time frame, it’s likely that you need some new tires. To keep track of this, you should maintain a record of your tire tread warranties whenever you buy new tires. If you’ve lost this information, try contacting the dealership or auto shop that provided the tires to you, as they may have a record of the sale.
High Number of Miles
The biggest reason that tires decline is simply from use. The more we use our tires, the more they wear down. If you have many miles on a set of tires, you can likely benefit from getting some new ones. Even if you’re not experiencing any problems with your vehicle, replacing the tires once they get old is a great way to help ensure that you don’t end up on the side of the road with a flat tire. To track the number of miles on your tires, it’s good practice to record the number of miles on your car when you install the tires or to reset your current trip counter.
You’re Driving on a Spare
Finally, if you’re driving on a spare tire, it’s definitely time for at least one new tire. A spare tire is designed to only help you out in an emergency. You shouldn’t drive on a spare tire for any longer than you have to. Light tires are not only less reliable than regular tires, but if you have an issue with another tire, you won’t have the spare to rely on. So, as soon as you’re able to install a new tire in place of that spare, the better.
How To Properly Take Care of Your Tires
Proper tire maintenance can help extend the life of your tires. One of the best things you can do is regularly rotate your tires. It’s recommended that you turn them roughly every 5,000 to 7,000 miles. This is because tires wear down unevenly based on the weight distribution in your car. Rotating them helps your tires wear down more evenly, thus extending their lifespan.
The other thing you can do is ensure your tires are always correctly inflated. Make it a habit to regularly check your tire pressure and see that it’s within the recommended levels. You can find the recommended amount in your owner’s manual, inside the car door, and sometimes on the tire itself. To check your tire pressure, you can either purchase your own gauge, as they are relatively affordable, or take advantage of the free tire pressure stations that many gas stations have. You can also schedule a service appointment to have the technicians rotate the tires and inspect tire pressure at the same time.
Getting New Tires in Frisco, Texas
If you think you need new tires in Frisco, Texas, let Huffines Hyundai McKinney assist you. We can perform an inspection of your tires and offer many different types of tires that our Tire Center keeps in stock, allowing you to get a replacement quickly. Our service center will ensure that your tires are properly installed, balanced, and inflated before you head out.
Don’t drive around on unsafe tires. Tire replacements are a quick job and one that can protect you and your family while you’re on the road. Make it a habit to regularly inspect your tires and always be on the lookout for any warning signs that your tires need replacing. Then, once you suspect that you need new tires, contact Huffines Hyundai McKinney to quickly and affordably get the new tires that your car needs.