You know that your tires on your car are one of the most important components, which means that you need to learn how to recognize when they are in need of help or change. The tires keep your car on the road and they keep it safe, but it’s not actually as much of a mystery as you think to recognize when your tires are in need of some servicing.
You don’t have to wait until it’s too late and you’re skidding along the highway to become a tire savvy driver. You can cruise with confidence from day one and know that your tires are in the best condition, but you have to be aware of the replacement indicators so that you are able to keep your tires in the best condition for as long as possible. You may not know how to use a manual tire machine, but your mechanic surely will. All you need to do is be able to recognise the signs that your tires need replacing in the first place. So let’s take a look at some of the top signs below.
- The wheel tread has worn down. The tread on your tires will naturally wear down overtime, especially if you drive a lot. This makes it harder for them to grip the road, and you need them to grip the road if you want to stay steady. When this happens, you’ll end up with decreased traction, longer stopping distances, and the handling can change in all icy conditions. Luckily your tires have wear bars on them so you can look out for tread wear very easily. If the tread is flush with the wear bars, you need to replace the tires.
- There are bulges on the surface of the wheels. There should never be air bubbles or bulges on the side walls of your tire. If you do see it, it’s a sign of a weakened spot in the internal structure. This often happens when you nudge a curb or hit a pothole too hard. This also means that your tires are at risk of a sudden blowout, and that’s not something you want to have to deal with if you can avoid it. If you see any bulging, you should be taking your tire to get it replaced immediately.
- The car is shaking. If you’re feeling a vibration in your car as you drive, that’s usually quite normal. But if the vibration is severe and across the steering wheel or the hold car, it’s a sign your tires are not in balance. There may even be an issue with the tires themselves. This can cause an uneven wear and tear on your tires and decrease the performance.
- You spotted cracking on the sides of your tires. Exposure to the elements and of UV radiation can cause the rubber on your tires to crack and dry out. If you’re seeing cracks on the side wall, then it’s a good sign that your tires are reaching the end of their life. If you don’t want to be at risk of a blowout then replace your tires as soon as you see the cracks.