When driving, there can be some signs that new tires might be needed for your vehicle. With age and miles, the tires will eventually start to wear out. The tires will also start to lose their condition, and make controlling the vehicle more difficult. It is important to have the tires inspected before a serious issue happens to them. Make sure to bring your vehicle in when recommended. This can help to make sure the vehicle is reliable and safe when you drive.

Checking the Depth of the Tread

When the tires are inspected, also make sure to include the tread. If the tread is lower than one sixteenth of an inch in depth, it is time to invest in a new set of tires. The proper amount of tread is important if you regularly drive on slick or wet surfaces of the road. The tread helps to grip the road as you drive. This can help with handling the vehicle when you drive. You can bring the vehicle in and we can check the tread depth on the tires for you. You can also check the tread by just using a penny. If you insert the penny, head down, into the tread, you will know how much tread is left. If you see the top part of the head, there is not enough tread on the tires. This can indicate that a new set of tires might be needed.

The Tread Indicator Bar should be inspected

Tires also have a wear indicator bar built into the tires. These bars are barely visible when the tires are new. As they begin to wear and lose tread, the tread indicator bar will become more visible. They look like flat rubber bars that run perpendicular to the direction of the tread. If more than two of these lines are visible on the tire, it will indicate that the tread is getting low.

Check the Sidewall of the Tires

Besides checking the tread of the vehicle, make sure to check the sidewalls and what condition they are in. A visual check of the sidewall is all that is needed. Look for any tracks or cuts that might be in the sidewall. Any puncture marks or cuts should be inspected closely. If there is an issue, it may cause air to leak out of the tires. It could also mean that the tire could blowout anytime. If there are cracks or damage to the sidewalls, make sure to bring the vehicle in as soon as you can. We can inspect it to see how safe it is to drive.

The Tires should be free of Bulges or Blisters

The outer edges and surfaces of the tires should also be inspected. Make sure to check for any signs of bulges or blisters that the tires might have. As spots begin to weaken on the tires, it could lead to a bulge or a blister. This will extend outward from the rest of the surface of the tire. The weak spot could cause a blow out to happen on the tire. If you notice anything unusual, make sure to bring the vehicle in as soon as you can so we can inspect it.