What You Need to Know About Tire Replacement

Your tires are a very important part, but sometimes, forgotten safety aspect of your vehicle. Good tires can go a long way in improving performance and handling. Conversely, if you have tire issues, it can lead to other problems and extra costs, including premature tire wear.

While sometimes knowing when to get a tire replacement can be difficult, having some basic knowledge about tires can go a long way. Let’s look at ways you can tell if your tires are in good shape and things you can do to avoid unnecessary tire wear.

Some Tire Basics…

One of the main reason drivers will need to replace their tires is the tire’s tread depth. Another thing to keep in mind is if your tires are older than 5 years, be sure to have an auto shop look at them as they might need to be changed. Now, if you have tires that are 10 years or older, you need to have them replaced, regardless of how they look since rubber cracks and becomes more brittle over time.

While sometimes it may not be possible, when you can, always try to replace all your tires at the same time. But, if you have a blowout on a single tire, and only need one, consider replacing your front or back set (depending on if you have rear- or front-wheel drive) simultaneously.

Now that we have some basics established, here are some ways to know if your tires are worn, how you can maximize their lifespan, and how to know if you need to book a tire replacement with an auto shop near you.

• Tire Tread

As mentioned, one big factor for swapping out tires is if the tread is worn. Tires have a wear indicator, and you may also be able to see obvious wear by merely looking at your tire. Legally, the tread limit is 2/32 inches, but it is recommended that to have them changed once they reach 4/32 inch.

Pro Tip: A simple and quick way to gauge the wear on your tire is by doing the penny test. Place a penny in the tread, and if you can see Lincoln’s head, that means you need new tires.

• Unequal Wear

If you notice what appears to be uneven wear, this may indicate a suspension issue, a wheel alignment problem, or that there is a tire pressure problem (they are inflated either too high or too low). Checking for unequal wear is relatively simple and means you need to look at the contact surface, as well as the edges.

If you’re unsure or don’t feel confident about what to look for you can always bring it to a mechanic during your next vehicle maintenance and ask them to show you how to do it.

• Tire Pressure

While many people often overlook this step, regularly checking your tire pressure can really help in maximizing how long your tires last. If you happen to be over-inflating your tires, you may see excessive wear in the middle of the tire; under-inflated tires will see wear at the edges or shoulder of the thread.

Not only will under-inflating your tires cause uneven wear, but also it can affect your fuel efficiency, causing your car to underperform. The temperature and climate can affect the pressure, so keep that in mind if you live in an area that has warm summers and very cold winters.

• Wheel Alignment

Another easy way to save your tires from unnecessary wear is having your wheel alignment checked every 5,000 miles or so. Proper alignment will not only avoid even wear, but it can also boost your car’s performance.

Some ways to tell if you have an alignment issue is if you notice an obvious tugging or pulling (on either side), if you feel your vehicle is wobbly, or if your is not straight after making a turn. Uneven wear is often an indication of an alignment issue.

• Tire Rotation

Having your tires rotated is a great way to avoid extra wear. The reason being is that if you drive a rear-wheel-drive vehicle, your back tires will wear quicker than the front ones. By rotating them, you can make all your tires wear in an even manner.

You can request a tire rotation the next time you have a maintenance appointment at your local auto shop.

Other Things to Consider…

While the above things are all ways to know and avoid excessive tire wear, driving fast can potentially lead to faster tire wear due to sudden breaking when you need to stop. Faster acceleration can lead to burnouts as in literally “burning rubber.” The amount of cargo you are hauling can put extreme pressure on your vehicle and tires. If you have a pickup truck and have a lot of cargo in the back that you don’t need, be sure to empty it out and only load it up when you need to transfer it.

Don’t forget the road and conditions you drive in can also lead to your tires not lasting as long as they could. If you are constantly off-roading or driving on rough gravel roads all day long, you can expect faster tire wear, so be sure to keep that in mind.

Get Tire Replacement Near You from Fred’s Auto Repair

Hopefully, this in-depth guide has you feeling more confident on how to spot potential tire issues and some things you can do to make your tires last longer. Our team of technicians at Fred’s Auto Repair is always here to take care of any tire or other automotive issue you may be having.

To learn more about our maintenance and repair services like tire changes, tune-ups, NY state vehicle inspections, and more, please contact us today.