If road safety is important to you, one important consideration is the set of tires on your car.
According to Consumer Reports, all-season tires can last between 55,000 and 85,000 miles. Meanwhile, another source citing the Federal Highway Administration says Americans drive approximately 13,500 miles per year.
Looking at the Consumer Reports figures and the average miles American drivers travel annually, you can see tires can last from around four to six or so years. Depending on your driving style, the terrain, and other factors, you may get more or less use out of your tires.
Here are five telltale signs that it’s time to find new tires for your vehicle and why you shouldn’t needlessly delay doing so.
Worn Tread Depth
One sign it’s time to get new tires for your car is if your current tires have insufficient tread depth. Don’t overlook or underestimate the importance of having sufficient tread depth. If you lack tread, you’ll have less stability on the road since your tires won’t have enough grip. You’ll notice the problem more when the roads are wet. And the braking system will underperform if your tires lack the tread to stop the car sufficiently.
Use a tread depth tool to see how much tread you have left. If it’s at, near, or below 2/32 on an inch, it’s time for new tires.
Visible Wear Indicators
One reason to check your tires periodically is that you’ll see visual signs that your tires may be on their way out. For instance, tires made today have built-in wear indicators. As the tread declines, the wear indicators will become visible. Once the tread level reaches the level of the wear bars, your tires are no longer suitable for use. You need new tires.
Cracks and Bulges
Other visual signs your tires are in poor shape are bulges and cracks. When the structural integrity of your tires is compromised in that way, it’s best to get new ones. Over time, tires will break down. Add to that the accumulative impact of driving into curbs or over potholes, and you can see that tires are put through a lot.
Carefully inspect the sidewalls routinely. It’ll only take a minute. Visible signs of damage, such as cracks or bulges, mean it’s tire shopping time.
Vibration While Driving
Yet another sign your tires might be crying out for help is if you experience excessive vibration when driving. The problem could stem from alignment issues or uneven tire wear. Some vibration is okay. But it’s not acceptable if the vibration is excessive. Getting your vehicle checked out by a trusted auto mechanic might be best.
Tires Are Old
The structural integrity of tires will erode over time. So, even if they pass the eye test and look just as nice as they did when they were new, they will degrade with age. No exceptions. A rule of thumb is to replace your tires by or before the six-year mark. You can check the sidewall for information detailing the age of your tires.
Your vehicle’s tires can either help or detract from the overall safety of your car. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 11,000 car accidents annually are due to tire failure. The problem with that statistic is that many tire failure issues can be prevented if drivers are more proactive about checking and taking care of their tires.
If you’re driving on the road and suffer a tire blowout, that’ll boost your accident risks. Injury in a collision can throw a wrench in your plans and leave you sidelined indefinitely. You’ll need a car accident lawyer in such a scenario to help you file a personal injury claim and get compensation for whatever injuries you sustained in the vehicle collision.
While it’s good to know how to find help after an accident, it’s even better to know how to prevent accidents. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, as the old saying goes, so take tire safety seriously.
