Your vehicle’s tires determine how much control you have while driving and how efficient your gas mileage is. However, they gradually wear down due to regular usage. When they lose too much tread, it can be dangerous to drive on them. It’s important to understand these signs that will let you know you need new tires from an auto center.

When to Purchase New Tires

1. Worn Down Tread

The tread is what helps your vehicle grip the road, and your tires become less effective at this when they’ve been worn down. This is especially dangerous when driving in inclement weather, such as rain or snowstorms, so it’s important to monitor the tread levels.

An easy way to do this is by performing the penny test. Place a penny into the tread with Lincoln’s head facing down. If his head is not obscured by the tire, it’s time to replace it.

2. Low Tire Pressure

If you find yourself constantly having to put more air into your tires, you might need to get replacements. Depending on the severity, simple tire repairs like patching a puncture can solve the issue. However, if the damage is more severe, you’ll need to replace the affected tires to avoid dangerous driving conditions, such as wet or icy roads. This includes issues like a corroded valve stem or larger rips in the tread.

3. Pulling to One Side

Without regular tire rotations and wheel alignment services, your tires won’t wear down evenly. As a result, one side may not have as much grip as another, which causes the vehicle to drift while driving. This makes it more difficult to safely control the vehicle, and the issue won’t be fixed until new tires are installed.

4. Damaged Sidewalls

When a tire inspection reveals that your sidewalls have cracks or gouges, it’s important to replace them with new ones immediately. This damage happens from regular wear and tear, but it’s exasperated by misalignment. If you don’t get them swapped out with a new set of tires, you’re putting yourself at risk of a blowout.

5. Driving on a Spare

Spare tires are great for emergencies, but they aren’t designed to be a permanent solution. Spares aren’t as durable as normal tires, so they’ll wear down faster the more you drive on them. This leaves you at risk of being stranded if the spare goes flat, so make getting a new tire a priority to avoid further problems.

 

If your vehicle needs new tires, take it to the experts at Quick Lane at Jack Kain Ford in Versailles, KY. For almost 40 years, this family-owned business has been providing a variety of auto maintenance services to help keep local drivers safe on the road. They’ll perform a thorough inspection of your tires and provide you with a fast and reliable installation of your new set. Schedule an appointment by calling (877) 837-1796 or learn more about their services online.