How Do You Know When Your Tires Need to be Replaced?

Are your car's tires more than 5 years old? If so, there's a good chance you'll need to replace them ASAP. Most tires are only going to last for about 60,000 miles. So if you're putting roughly 1,000 miles on your car each month, your tires will reach that mark by the time they've had five years on the road.

The age of your tires is one way to figure out if they need to be replaced. But there are also several other things you can look for to see whether or not you should replace your tires soon. We recommend that you monitor your car's tires closely so that you can spot any signs showing that it's time for new tires before driving your car becomes unsafe. Check out several of the most common signs below.

Your Tire's Sidewalls Are Cracking

If your car's tires are getting up there in age, it'd be worth taking a look at their sidewalls every so often. They'll tell you almost everything you need to know about their condition. If you notice cracks in the sidewalls of your tires, it should be a cause for concern. You could be on the verge of experiencing a tire blowout at any time, which could put you and others at risk. You should add replacing your tires to your to-do list right away.

Your Tires Have Bubbles or Bulges in Them

When you're inspecting your tire's sidewalls, you should look for more than just cracking. You'll also want to see if there are any visible bubbles or bulges in the sidewalls. If there are, these bubbles or bulges suggest that your tires have some weak spots that need attention. Just like with cracks, they can indicate that you could experience a tire blowout that may cause you to lose control of your car while driving. You should get to work on replacing your tires as soon as you can.

Your Tire's Tread Indicator Bars Are Showing

Many modern-day tires have tread indicator bars on them. You won't be able to see these tread indicator bars when your car's tires are brand new. But over time, your tires will start to wear down on you, and eventually, you'll be able to see the tread indicator bars on them easily. You might also find that your car's tires will begin to make noise when your tread indicator bars are showing. It'll be another sign you should have them replaced.

Your Tires Are Causing Your Whole Car To Shake

Is your car shaking both when you're driving at slow speeds and fast speeds? There are a handful of issues that can cause this. For example, there might be an issue with your brakes that's making your car shake. But it could also be a sign that your tires are beyond their expiration date. There are metal belts situated inside your tires that can start to slip and result in your whole car vibrating. You might also have tires that are out of alignment that will need to be serviced.

Your Tire's Metal Cords Are Visible

There are metal cords located on the inside of car tires that provide them with structural support. If you ever see these cords when you look at your tires, it'll be one of the most obvious signs showing you need new tires. It won't be safe to continue to drive around in a car that has tires with these cords showing. Your car won't be able to get the traction it needs from your tires when these cords are exposed.

Your Tires Are Getting Terrible Traction

Have you noticed your car tends to slip and slide all over the road these days, especially when the ground is wet? This might suggest the tread grooves in your tires aren't as deep as they should be anymore. They might be too shallow to wick moisture away when you're driving on wet ground, and that could lead to traction troubles. The only way to correct this issue will be by securing new tires for your car. Otherwise, you could put yourself and others in harm's way since your car could start hydroplaning on wet surfaces at any point.

Your Tires Fail To Pass the "Quarter Test"

The so-called "quarter test" is one of the most effective ways to see if your car's tires have enough tread left in them. Here's how it works:

1. You insert a quarter upside-down into the groove in one of your car's tires.
2. You look to see if the tread in your car's tire touches the top of George Washington's head.
3. You replace your tires if the tread in your car's tires doesn't hit Washington's head.

If your tread doesn't touch Washington's head, this indicates that you don't have at least 1/8 of an inch of tread left. You won't want to continue to drive around on tires like this.

Your Tire Pressure Light Is On

More often than not, the tire pressure light on your car's dashboard will light up when your tires are low on air. But if it keeps coming on even after you've filled your tires with air, it may mean your tires need to be replaced. Don't turn a blind eye to this light. You should try to turn it off by filling your tires with air. If that doesn't do the trick, the next order of business should be to drive your car down to the service center at a dealership to see if you need new tires.

Bring Your Car to Our Honda Tire Center Today

Do the tires on your car need to be replaced? Ciocca Honda of York can provide you with brand-new tires for your car when you bring it to our tire center for service. We carry tires from all the biggest brands and can help you choose the right tires for your specific vehicle. Contact us Today if you would like to schedule a tire service for your car.
crv_wheel by aaltonen  is licensed with CC BY 2.0