When Should You Look into Tire Replacement in Briarcliff?

When Should You Look into Tire Replacement in Briarcliff?

A well-made set of tires can last for years and tens of thousands of miles, but tires will wear out over time even if nothing directly damages them. They’re constantly being worn down by their time on the road, and eventually, become unsafe to drive on.  If you use old, worn-out tires, you could be in danger of blowouts or losing traction during critical moments.

So when would you need tire replacement in Briarcliff, and what are the major signs of damage?  Let’s take a look.

Types Of Tire Wear and Damage That Say You Need Tire Replacement

1 – Age and mileage

Before getting into specific types of wear and damage, virtually every tire you might buy will come with an estimate on the number of years and miles it’s rated for.  Typically, this is around 3-5 years or 50,000-60,000 miles on average. Of course, individual use will be a factor here as well. Someone who regularly goes on long drives will wear out their tires faster than someone who only occasionally drives around their local area.

Nonetheless, if your tires are older than five years or you’ve driven on them for more than 60,000 miles, it’s probably time to look into a tire replacement on general principle.  Why risk driving on old tires that may be unreliable when replacement is relatively cheap?

2 – Treadwear

The tread on your tire – the pattern of grooves and ridges on its exterior – are what allow it to grip the road. The tread is also what will be most directly damaged through use, since this is what erodes as the wheel speeds down the road. As the tread wears down, traction decreases as well, and it will become more difficult to maintain control of your car.

Fortunately, there’s an easy test: the penny test.  Take a penny and insert it into the tread with Lincoln’s head facing down. At least some of Lincoln’s head should be covered by the tread. If it doesn’t reach the top of his head, the tread is dangerously worn, and you need new tires.

3 – Sidewall cracks

The sidewall of your tires – literally the sides of the tires – are also vulnerable to breaking down over time.  This is typically caused by sun and weather, with rapid shifts between hot and cold temperatures being particularly bad for the sidewalls. Eventually, the rubber will degrade and start to crack. This makes your tires far more vulnerable to an unexpected blowout.

If you see large cracks on the sidewall, that’s a big sign you need to get a tire replacement, and soon.  They’re no longer reliable.

4 – Bubbles or bulges

If the internal frame within the tire has been damaged, air inside the central chamber may start to leak into the outer layers of the tire. This then causes bulges or “bubbles” extruding from the tire or sidewall. This is a big red flag because bulging means there absolutely is internal damage. At the least, you should stop by a shop to see if anything can be done to repair the damage or replace the tires if there isn’t another option.

5 – Damaged tire valves or caps

The valve and valve stem that let air into the tire tends to be vulnerable to damage, since they’re small and stick out a bit from the rest of the tire.  Any damage to the valve, valve stem, or its cap will potentially allow air to leak out of the tire. It could potentially also prevent you from refilling the tire. Valve problems can occasionally be fixed if the rest of the tire is solid, although replacement may still be the better long-term option.

6 – Vibrations when driving

If you start noticing vibrations in the steering wheel or car body when driving, the most likely cause is worn tires.  In particular, this can happen if the tires are misaligned and wearing on the road unevenly.  Minor vibrations aren’t a problem that need to be taken care of immediately, but once you feel them, it’s almost certain that they’ll get worse over time until you take your car to a shop for repairs or tire replacement.

In any case, you need to maintain your tires well! Compromised tires make driving genuinely dangerous. Unexpected blowouts can cause you to lose control, and worn tread means you can no longer rely on your car to maintain its grip – particularly on wet or icy roads. Keeping your tires fresh and maintained makes driving safer for yourself, your passengers, and other people on the road.

Tire Replacement in Briarcliff

Fred’s Auto Repair of Briarcliff has been the area’s leading auto service shop for over fifty years. When you need tire replacement, contact us for friendly and affordable service at either our Briarcliff Manor or Shrub Oak locations.