Buying tires is a part of car maintenance, and believe it or not, this type of maintenance is easy to forget. The tires are an essential part of your vehicle and you must replace them before they become worn. Let\u2019s discuss tires and when you should buy new ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Having good tires on your vehicle contributes to your overall safety on the road. The tires are the only part of your vehicle that comes into contact with the ground, and because of this, they are subject to wear and tear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Worn and damaged tires compromise your vehicle\u2019s ability to respond to your inputs, such as braking, steering, and handling. The longer you drive with damaged and worn tires, the more risk there is of a tire blowout, which can make you lose control of your vehicle or an auto accident. Driving a vehicle that has tires that have little to no tread compromises your safety and the safety of everyone around you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, how long do tires last? The lifespan of tires depends on the following factors:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In general, high-quality all-season tires can last anywhere between 50,000 to 75,000 miles, which is approximately 5 to 7 years for average drivers. Even if you don\u2019t drive that many miles, you should change your tires every 6 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should inspect your tires every month for wear and tear. Paying attention to the tire tread depth is essential. To inspect the tire\u2019s tread, use a quarter, and place the head of the quarter into one of the tire\u2019s big grooves. If the top of the quarter is flush with tread, this means you have approximately 4\/32 inches of tread remaining. With this amount of tread, your tires have a little bit of grip for snowy or rainy conditions. This is the best time to shop for new tires. However, if you can see space above the quarter’s top, you need to replace your tires immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another way you can determine your tire\u2019s tread is by looking at the tread wear indicators on the tire. These treads are raised and built into the tires. They are evenly spaced groove sections on the tire\u2019s tread. For new tires, tread indicators are not as high as the tire\u2019s tread. Once the tread reaches the same level as the tread indicator, this means it\u2019s time for you to replace your tires.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s no trick to knowing when to change your tires. You need to be observant and know certain information. Here are different ways to tell it\u2019s time to change your tires.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Did you know tires have an expiration date? You can use the expiration date to get an idea of how much time you have left before you need to replace your tires. To locate your tire\u2019s expiration date, you need to find the tire\u2019s sidewall, which is the outer part of the tire that faces outward. Next, look for the tire size information and the four-digit number that indicates the manufacturing date. Now you need to identify the manufacturing data code. There will be a four-digit code or number on the sidewall. Use this code to determine the week and year of manufacture using this information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Generally, tires are good for approximately 6 years. Your tires may be able to last a little longer if you don\u2019t drive often but don\u2019t keep your current tires for more than 10 years. Over time, rubber degrades due to environmental conditions. While tires may appear in great shape on the surface, they could be concealing structural damage and other issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can\u2019t remember when you purchased your current set of tires? No problem! You can view the manufacturer\u2019s expected lifespan by checking the make and model on the manufacturer\u2019s or a tire store\u2019s website. There is also a 16-digit code, the tire\u2019s identification number, you can use to find tire information. This information is printed on the tire\u2019s sidewall. The first three digits of this code represent the US Department of Transportation. The next four digits tell you the tire\u2019s age by revealing the week and the last two digits of the year in which it was manufactured, such as \u201c1117\u201d, which would mean the 11th week of 2017.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When your vehicle\u2019s tires begin to wear down unevenly, the tires need to be replaced. For instance, if the tread wear indicators show through some spots, but not all spots evenly, or if you notice areas where the tire\u2019s surface is inconsistent with the overall wear, the tires need to be replaced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your tires can wear down unevenly for different reasons. The good news is that most of the repairs are fairly easy to make. When you get new tires on your vehicle, take the time to perform the proper maintenance on them, such as ensuring they\u2019re correctly inflated. Also, have a mechanic check your vehicle\u2019s alignment and suspension, especially if you\u2019re having problems with excessive vibration or handling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If your tire\u2019s tread is punctured by road debris, nail, or other object, you may be able to repair the tire. However, if the tire\u2019s sidewall is damaged, the tire will need to be replaced. It\u2019s a good idea to get into the habit of checking your tire\u2019s sidewall for damage, such as cuts, cracking, bludges, or blisters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Blisters and bulges on tires indicate there is structural damage on the inside of the tire. This type of damage can result in tread separation or a blowout while you\u2019re driving. If you notice that your tires are cracking, have cuts, or other surface impurities, tire degradation can occur. Damage from road debris can also occur. In either situation, the tire has been compromised and must be replaced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should pay attention to the way your car feels as you\u2019re driving. It will also help to pay attention to the sounds your car makes. Paying attention to these two details can help you catch a problem before it escalates to a major problem. If your car is making a weird sound that it didn\u2019t make before, or your vehicle feels different when you\u2019re driving it, don\u2019t wait to have your car inspected. Prolonging a vehicle check can result in expensive repairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Excessive vibration can be a sign of damage in one of your tires, or be an indication that one of your vehicle\u2019s wheels is bent or misaligned, which can cause premature tire wear. If your vehicle is vibrating excessively, there may be issues with the suspension system, which can also cause premature wear of the tires and other issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes! There are different types of tires available, and the ones you decide to put on your vehicle make a difference in the way the vehicle performs. Each tire type has unique strengths and limitations. All-season tires are made to perform well in different road and weather conditions to improve their longevity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re looking for an overall good type of tire, performance all-season tires may be what you need. These tires provide better handling and grip on the road better the other tire types. However, performance all-season tires are more expensive than other tires.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can also purchase ultra-high performance (UHP) tires. Whether you purchase UHP summer tires or UHP all-season tires, you\u2019ll enjoy the great on-road handling, but the tread life of these tires is not long-lived.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a general rule, the higher the performance of the tires, the more it will cost, and the quicker the tires will wear. It\u2019s a good idea to stick to the type of tire that came with your vehicle when you purchased it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re like a lot of drivers, you\u2019re looking for different ways to save money on vehicle maintenance. However, downgrading to a different tire type to save a few bucks can have a negative affect on your car\u2019s handling performance and braking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Should you repair or replace your tires? There are upsides and downsides to both, so we\u2019ll let you determine the best course of action for your situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pros of Repairing (Patching) Your Tires<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cons of Patching<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pros of Replacing a Tire<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cons of Replacing a Tire<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re stuck between replacing a damaged tire or repairing it, here are a few factors you need to consider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Replacing even one tire can be expensive, making patching a tire a more feasible option. The following types of tire damage can be repaired by patching a tire:<\/p>\n\n\n\n