As you drive, your tire treads will wear down over time. Worn treads hurt your tires’ performance and their overall safety. Generally speaking, you should replace your tires once the tread depth falls below about 2/32 of an inch. Although changing your tires might feel like a hassle, it makes a positive impact in your navigation and safety on the road. Below are three of the many benefits of changing your tires.

Why Visit a Tire Shop for a Replacement

1. Reduce Steering & Braking Difficulties

The less tread your tires have, the less they grip the road. You can feel this whenever you turn the wheel. A car with better traction will turn more easily and smoothly, while one with less traction is more likely to skid. This affects driving safety in all conditions, but it’s especially apparent on wet or icy roads. When you brake — especially in harsher conditions — you want the maximum amount of friction between your tires and the road to shorten your braking distance. This is something bald tires can't provide.

2. Avoid Flat Tires

As your tires thin, they’re more likely to develop holes. In a worst-case scenario, your tire can blow out on the highway, where high speeds raise the temperature of the rubber and cause it to weaken. A blowout in these conditions can result in a dangerous accident. Even at best, a flat can leave you stranded at home or while traveling. New tires are more resilient, and they’re less likely to go flat.

3. Improve Gas Mileage

Because old tires are more likely to skid on the road and don't hold air as well, they don't operate at peak efficiency. Your wheels end up making more rotations over the same distance, which means you use more gas. This can make a noticeable difference in your car costs each month. Therefore replacing your tires regularly is an investment in fuel efficiency as well as safety.

If you're overdue for new tires, choose Lee Tire in Nicholasville and Lexington, KY. For over 20 years, they have served Fayette and Jessamine counties with new and used tires at affordable prices. They stock trusted brands like Michelin®, Goodyear®, and Cooper® to ensure quality and safety. For questions, call (859) 254-6157 or send a message to either of their locations online.