When it’s time to replace our tires, we always wonder whether they’ll last the season or if they’re just too worn-out. Sometimes, all it takes is a brush against the curb or one pothole to damage an old or worn-out tire. It is best to check the tread depth of your tires before replacing them.
How do we determine whether a tire is in good condition? What is the maximum amount of time a tire can be used? How do we determine if it is too old? Here we will help you in gaining a better understanding of these aspects.
Take note. If a tire is less than five years old, this does not always indicate that it is in good shape. Numerous considerations must be evaluated when determining the wear on your tires. Weather conditions, use level, and storage conditions all add to tire wear in unique ways. However, there are three easy things to bear in mind when inspecting the state of your tires.
1. Some Basic Checks
There are certain basic checks you must conduct which include:
- Determine the tread depth of the tire.
- Reference the production date of the tires with the DOT code.
- Inspect each tire to determine the type of wear.
2. About Tire Wear
It is important to determine the tread thickness of the tire. This check will help you to determine if the tires are still capable of properly evacuating water, dirt, and gravel while keeping a good grip on the ground. If your tires have suffered excessive wear, you can potentially lose traction, increasing your stopping time, resulting in aquaplaning.
If you have no idea how deep the tire tread is, use the simple nickel technique! Insert a nickel into the grooves of the tire, with the beaver’s back pointing upward. If its back is hidden, the groove depth is greater than it should be and it’s time to replace the tires.
3. Determining a Tire’s Age
As per the CAA, tires above five years begin to lose their characteristics. Rubber dries out and loses its adhesion to the asphalt as it ages. Is it necessary to replace our tires every five years? Not always, it all depends on how often and in what way you drive your car. The state of your tires can also vary over time, depending on whether the car is kept inside a closed garage or outside during the winter. To determine the age of your tires, look for the four-digit DOT code imprinted on the walls.
How to Check the Condition of Your Tires
The signs if wear that you should look out for include:
- Excessive wear ion the extremities- The tire might be underinflated. Check the pressure of your tires.
- Wear in the tread center-One of the tires is either over pressurized or subjected to unduly high speed.
- Exposed wear – This indicates it’s time to replace the tire.
- Wear on just one shoulder- You may be dealing with a parallelism problem.
- Uneven wear– This could be caused by a parallelism problem, or is an indication that some components of your automobile (shock absorbers, direction) need adjustment.
If you are unsure, consult a certified mechanic. These experts will inspect your vehicle’s tires, assessing their condition. They will check the tire’s age and overall wear to determine whether you need to replace them. In some cases, the tires might only need minor alignment to fix the problem. It is crucial that you address all tire related issues immediately as your driving safety and comfort depend on it.