It’s easy to spot a tire that needs replacement like worn-out treads or having frequent flat
tires. These are obvious reasons but the truth is there are a lot of telltale signs your tires are
aching for a replacement and it’s just a matter of time before a nasty blowout or flat tire in the
middle of a busy highway, worse an accident would cause you more than just a brand new
tire or a set of tires. Sometimes, failure to do a simple tire check leads to unforgiving
circumstances. Don’t wait for it to happen as it wouldn’t hurt to take a few minutes of your
time to check your tires once in a while or when you’re off for a long ride.
Here are the signs you should look out for and steps to take to determine if you need new
tires.
1.Tire Age - A tire should only last for a few years of use and should be replaced. Keep
in mind that after 5 years of use, tires should be checked regularly as this age starts
to show signs of wear. Some don’t show physical wear but the components for which
it was built already affects performance and overall safety and capability and just a
note, when your tires are ten years or more, you need new ones.
2. Physical Damage - Regularly check your tires for physical damage. Sometimes
cracks, cuts, and bulges on treads or sidewalls of your tires are so tiny you wouldn’t
even notice them by just a glance, but it can be a cause of blown-out tires when
driven on long rides, humps or rough roads. Uneven and shallow treads are more
than just indications of new tires, often this means your car is due for wheel
alignment or tire rotation. Contact your tire shop to schedule an appointment.
3. Check tire tread with any of these 2 methods:
Use a “Penny”. One way to measure tire wear is to use a 25¢ Canadian coin
in one of the grooves with the caribou facing down. If you see the tip of its nose, it
means it’s time to change your tires.
Use a “Tread Depth Gauge”. Tire tread depth is important, and this is what
this useful tool measures to tell you if your tire is still roadworthy. So how to use it?
Find the gauge pin and insert it into the grooves between the treads of the tire. Most
of the gauges are pressed down on the base plate of the tread gauge unit until it's
flushed with the tire tread.
With all these being said, the lifespan and mileage of your tire depend on a combination of factors like its design, your driving habits, climate, road conditions, and the
amount of care you do that makes tires last. Take all these into consideration and never hesitate to buy new tires if need be, after all, safety isn’t expensive, it’s priceless.
Tire Tread Depth Gauge
Comments