December 9

Tire Checklist: 5 Signs You Need New Tires!

0  comments

Your tires are among the hardest-working and most essential components of your vehicle. They support the weight of your car, absorb shock from bumps and potholes, change and maintain your direction of travel, and help ensure proper traction and effective braking. Unfortunately, your tires will wear out over time. Tire failures can cause your vehicle to go out of control or leave you stranded in the middle of nowhere. Therefore, it’s essential to know when you should replace your tires so that you can avoid unpleasant or even dangerous surprises. The following are five signs indicating you need new tires:

1. Worn-Out Tire Treads

Tire pressure | Penny in Tire Groove

Image via Flickr by ray_explores

The tread depth of your tires should never get below 1/16 of an inch. In fact, this is the minimum legal limit. You need to have at least twice the minimum tread depth during the rainy or winter season to ensure your tires can grip the road properly. 

One way to determine whether your tires have adequate tread depth is to get a tire tread gauge similar to professional mechanics. You can purchase this tool at your local auto parts store. If you want to save money and hassle, you may prefer to use the penny test instead. Take a penny and insert it into a tread groove with Abraham Lincoln’s head upside down. If you can see all of his head, the tread depth is less than 1/16 inch, meaning it’s time to replace your tires.

2. Visible Tread Wear Indicator Bars

Most modern tires have tread wear indicator bars built into them. These bars are initially barely visible or invisible, but they’ll start to appear after the tread has worn down to a certain extent. They’re flat rubber bars that run perpendicular to the direction of the tread. If you see one or more of these bars on a tire, it’s an indication that the tread is getting low. 

3. Cracks in the Sidewall

Not all tire problems occur in the treads. The sides of your tires can also be damaged. Fortunately, you can easily do a visual inspection to detect sidewall problems. Check the sidewall of your tire for cuts, scrapes, or tears. Any of these conditions can signify that the tire is leaking or about to blow out, which is definitely something you want to avoid. As such, if you notice any significant sidewall damage, immediately bring your car to your local service center for a tire replacement. 

4. Blisters or Bulges on the Surface

Sometimes, the surface of a tire may develop weak spots that cause air to push out and create blisters or bulges. These bulges can be obvious or difficult to see, but you shouldn’t take them lightly. They can cause your tire to suddenly blow out while you’re driving, which is especially dangerous if you’re on the freeway. Therefore, it’s essential to keep an eye out for tire blisters and bulges. 

5. Too Much Vibration

It’s common for vehicles to vibrate, especially when moving over rough surfaces. However, if your car is shaking more than usual, it can be indicative of an array of problems, from misaligned wheels to faulty shock absorbers. It may also be the result of a tire problem. Even if your tires are in great shape, the vibration can cause considerable damage to them over time. So, if you see that your vehicle is vibrating excessively when you aren’t driving on a bad road, you should have it checked out at a service center right away. 

How Often Should You Replace Your Tires?

The best interval for replacing your tires may vary depending on several factors, such as your driving habits, the type of vehicle you own, and the weather and road conditions in your area. However, even if your tires have a lot of tread left, it’s recommended that you replace them once every six years. This is because a tire’s rubber will dry and crack over time, making it more likely to go flat or blow out. 

If you drive more than the average American, routinely haul or tow heavy loads, or live in an area with poorly maintained roads, you probably need to change your tires every four or five years. However, if you want to save money, you can take several measures to make your tires last longer. These measures include avoiding aggressive driving, keeping your tires properly inflated, regularly checking your tires for wear and damage, and going to a service center for routine tire rotations and wheel alignments.

Get the Best Tire Services at Huffines Chevrolet Plano

Chevy Camaro in Black | Chevy Camaro

Image via Flickr by RL GNZLZ

Proper tire maintenance not only extends the longevity of your tires but can also improve your safety, make your vehicle more fuel-efficient, and contribute to a better driving experience. So if you’re looking for a reputable Chevrolet service center in Plano, Texas, that provides top-notch tire services, pay a visit to Huffines Chevrolet Plano. Whether you need a tire inspection, rotation, or replacement, you can count on us to give your car the best care and service. 

The service center at our dealership is equipped with the most advanced tire diagnostic tools and systems. Therefore, we can detect any tire problems with utmost precision and efficiency. Also, we have a team of factory-trained technicians who have extensive experience working with Chevrolet vehicles, so we’ll know just what to do to keep your tires in tiptop condition. If you need to replace your tires, we can provide you with OEM tires that perfectly match your particular Chevy model. 

At Huffines Chevrolet Plano, we understand that tire maintenance and replacement can cost a substantial amount of money over the long. As such, we try to help you keep your car ownership costs low by offering competitive pricing and an array of service coupons. Make sure you check our “service coupons” page to see if you can get a discount on the specific auto service you need. 

Come to Huffines Chevrolet Plano for the best deals on top-quality tire services. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.


Tags


You may also like