The vast majority of car owners don’t give much thought to their tires until they get a flat or are preparing for a long drive with their families. This is unfortunate given just how often oversight leads to most costly repairs, not to mention danger, down the line. Neglected or forgotten tires on a car can lead to potentially dangerous scenarios. Cars with overly worn tires can lose control, have blow out’s at high speeds, can cause accidents, and even traumatize those inside of the affected vehicle.
It behooves all car owners to take good care of their tires. Having them rotated, balanced, and aligned goes a long way in slowing their natural wear and tear. Equally important, keeping a close eye on a cars tires via manual inspections at regular intervals can prevent all of the aforementioned incidents and save people money. There are three major things car owners need to keep in mind when thinking of their tires.
- Treading: While it doesn’t tell the entire story of a tire, treading on a group of tires yields a lot about the health of a those in service. The more worn or shallow the tread on tires the less capable and safe they become. Vehicles riding on tires with poor treading will struggle in the rain, snow, and even in those areas with high winds. Safety aside for just a moment, cars that continue to run on worn tires are at risk of collateral damage as well. Many other parts of a car are negatively impacted when a car operates on old and worn tires. Brakes suffer as do shocks, struts, boots, and even rotors.
Outside of a completely bald tire, how does one determine what a safe level of remaining tread is? The answer is surprisingly simple and makes great cents. Rescuing a penny from the cold recesses of their couch cushion, car owners can insert a penny into the grooves of their tire tread in order to determine it’s health. If any part of President Lincoln’s head is hidden or covered by the tire tread, your tires are good to go. Should the opposite be true then it’s time to replace a car’s tires.
- Youth vs Age: As is the case with all things, tires age and become less resilient and functional over time. Don’t be deceived by the large amount of tread left on old tires. Rubber breaks down over time, even when sitting in a garage, leaving tires brittle and prone to bursting, warping, and all types of other issues. Cars that have sat for lengthy periods of time will need their tires replaced before they are driven on any sort of regular basis. Again, this is an issue of safety and it’s important to keep that in mind when you see a good deal of tread on old tires and when you’re thinking of saving some money. New tires are stronger, more capable, and far safer than their aged brethren. Regardless of their outwardly appearance, tires older than six years should be replaced at the first available opportunity.
- New Tires: When the time comes to purchase new tires, car owners face a bevy of choices, both in terms of brands as well as those garages that are available to handle the job. Individuals should spend some time shopping around online, comparing the difference in labor costs as well as those between tire brands. Not everyone operates on the same budget but aiming for the highest quality tire should always be the priority.
For A Free Tire Inspection Stop By Today 660 San Pablo Avenue Albany, CA 94706