5 Signs It’s Time For New Tires

Even though it is a fairly straightforward process and takes almost no time to do, it is a good idea to check regularly to see if your tires are still holding up. While the professionals who sold you your tires may likely tell you how many miles you can expect out of your tires, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends that you check often, as about 11,000 car crashes are caused each year by tire failure. We compiled this checklist for you so you can easily determine if your tires are ready to hang it up, or if they are still good.

1. Bulging, gouges, or cracks

Regular deflation of the tire might be an indicator that there is a slow-leak. If you notice any cracks or gouges, or bulging in the tire, take it to your auto-mechanic and let them look at it. Sometimes if you get too close to a curb or hit something at just the right angle, it can actually puncture your tire and cause a slow leak.

2. Worn-out tread

Everyone has heard of the penny test…If you suspect your tires are getting too worn out, you can take a penny and put it into the grooves with Lincoln’s head facing down. If you can still see the top of his head, it is about time to get new tires. Fortunately, many modern tire producers have installed something called a wear-bar into the tires that serve as indicators that it is really time to get new tires. They run across the width of the tire and will show up as the tire begins to wear down to dangerous levels.

3. Tire pressure

Tires deflate over time naturally. However, if they are deflating faster than one pound PSI per month, that might be an indicator of something wrong. Running your tires on anything other than the recommended PSI can result in them wearing out faster, so always make sure your tires are inflated properly, especially if they look visually flatter.

4. Temperature

Tires are affected directly by the temperature outside, and its normal to see different effects over different seasons. It should be noted that extreme cold can cause the tires to deflate, and if this isn’t corrected, it can cause problems in the warmer months. Tires that run in a deflated state tend to get very hot pretty quickly. This can also be a hazard to look out for.

5. Vibration

If your car feels like it is vibrating, especially under your seats, that can mean either your tires are out of balance, of there is some other suspension issue. Either way, if you are enjoying anything other than a smooth ride, it is usually a good indicator that your tires are getting worn out.

When it finally is time to get new tires, do the responsible thing and recycle them here at Western Tire Recyclers. You can also re-use them in some pretty awesome ways!