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5 Reasons to Buy New Tires

by Bluefire Editor - July 11, 2019
Man checking the air on his tires

There are a few easy ways to determine that your tires need to be replaced. If you notice any of these five signs, it is time to make an appointment to install new tires. You always want your vehicle to be safe to drive.

1. The Tread Is Wearing

The tire’s tread is what allows your carto stay safely on the road and maintain its grip. Over time, the treads start to wear down until they become bald and unsafe. You don’t want to be driving when your tires have less than 1/16 of an inch of tread or less remaining.

Most new tires have wear bars which are visible between the rows of tread. If these become flush with the tread, it is time to replace the tires. One trick for tires that don’t have wear bars is to take a penny and put it in the tread with Abe’s head sticking down. If his entire head is visible, it is time for new tires.

2. The Pressure Is Low

A functional tire should be able to hold relatively steady air pressure, losing less than one PSI per month. If you find yourself putting air in your tire every couple of days, it probably has a leak. Sometimes you can have these leaks patched if they are small enough, but they aren’t a permanent fix.

3. Your Car Is Vibrating

If your car starts to vibrate constantly while you are driving, it may be a sign that the tires are misaligned or unbalanced. If this isn’t checked out, the tire can continue to wear, and you’ll have to replace it.

4. The Tire Is Cracking

One of the definite signs that you need new tires is if there is a bulge or crack on the outside of the tire. When the tire starts to bulge or crack, it is a sign of a weak spot which could blow out when you are driving, potentially causing an accident.

5. There Is Uneven Wear

One other issue to watch for is if the tires are wearing unevenly. If a tire is overinflated, it can wear more in the center, while underinflated tires can start to wear faster near the edges. If you notice any of these signs of wear, either adjust your tire’s PSI or have them replaced if it has gone on too long.

Any time you notice one of these problems, it is a good idea to have it checked out by a mechanic to confirm if you need new tires.

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