While your car won’t go anywhere without tires, it won’t go anywhere safely with worn and damaged units. Fortunately, it’s often easy to tell if your tires are reaching the end of their lifespan. Look for these telltale signs to determine when to visit your local auto shop before a blowout ends up requiring towing.

How to Tell if You Need New Tires

1. Worn Tread

Tire tread encompasses the entire surface of the rubber and consists of ribs and grooves. All of these features work together to maintain traction and stability on the road. However, when the tread wears down and the grooves become lower, the tire’s ability to grip the road reduces. 

Since tire tread should never fall below 1/16 of an inch, you can tell if you need new tires by placing a penny head-down in a groove between two ribs. If you can see all of Lincoln’s head, replace them.

2. Cracked or Bulging Sidewall

When tires aren’t properly maintained, the sidewall can develop cracks. For instance, regularly driving on underinflated tires makes the shoulders flex and have more contact with the road, causing the rubber to overheat.

Hitting potholes, curbs, or regularly driving over debris can also damage their sidewalls. When the edge of the tire collides with a surface, the inner lining will break, resulting in a bulge or bubble in the side of the wheel. If your unit is misshapen, replace it to avoid a blowout.

3. Driving Vibrations

Vibrations while driving sometimes — but not always — indicate tire problems. Usually, you can tell if it’s a tire issue because the shaking will start whenever you hit a certain high speed. If that’s the case, first check for tread wear and sidewall damage.

If both of these spots are fine, it could be due to a wheel mount or suspension issue. For your safety, visit a trusted auto shop before heading out on any more trips.

If your tire blows out, you can count on Craig’s Towing & Repair. This family-run auto shop provides diagnostic services to drivers in La Crosse, WI. Their experienced technicians offer a wide variety of minor and major repairs for vehicles. If your vehicle isn’t safe to drive, they also offer local and long-distance towing. Speak to one of their mechanics today by calling (608) 784-1638, or visit their website to learn more about their work.