According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), tire failure causes around 11,000 car crashes each year. Both Prestige Auto Repair and the NHTSA recommend doing a quick tire inspection once a month. Here’s what to look for:
- Bubbles, gouges or cracks
When a tire deflates, it bulges at the sides. If you see a bubble in the sidewall, cracks, gouges or anything that looks odd, take it in and have Prestige Auto Repair perform a visual inspection
- Tread wear
The old-school penny test is one way to check your treads: Place a penny into the tread, with Lincoln’s head pointing down. If you can still see the top of his noggin, the tread is dangerously low. Most modern tires, however, have wear bars: bits of rubber woven into the pattern at a specific depth. “You can find the wear bars that go across the groove, and if the tread pattern is worn down to that wear bar, you need to replace your tire,”
- Tire pressure
Tires deflate at a rate of about one pound per square inch (PSI) per month. “You’re not going to wear your tires down in a month,” “but you should check that you have the right inflation pressure.”
- Temperature
Tire pressure drops in extreme cold. The challenge in summer, is “excessive heat buildup in the tire.” If you’re heading out on a road trip with an underinflated tire, it will generate more heat and wear out faster.
- Vibration
Watch out for vibration or thumping when you’re driving. If it feels like it’s coming from under the seats, the rear tires may be out of balance. Vibration from the steering wheel could indicate front tire problems.
- Age According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), any tire 10 years old or older should be replaced regardless of condition.
When it’s time to replace your tires, Prestige Auto Repair recommends doing so in pairs or all four at a time for better performance and traction and, ultimately, a safer ride.