There’s a lot riding on your tires — most important, the safety of you and your family. Drivers tend to take tires for granted, however, and that could be dangerous. Unlike other car parts, tires tend not to make loud sounds when they’re going bad. How do you know if your tires need to be replaced? Look for these signs.
Vibrations. A well-maintained car shouldn’t vibrate as you drive it. If yours does, bad tires may be the cause of the problem. Bald tires or those with uneven wear can cause the tire to vibrate. Vibration can also be caused by tire-related problems, like poor wheel alignment or unbalanced tires. If you feel your tires vibrating as you drive, best to have a professional mechanic take a look at your tires ASAP.
Bald treads. The rubber on the bottom of your tires is designed to grip the road. Each tire has its own set of grooves molded into the rubber; this is the tire’s tread. As you drive, the rubber starts to wear off due to friction. If you wait too long to replace your tires, you can end up driving on groove-less tires. Driving on bald treads is dangerous and can cause hydroplaning and slipping.
Unevenly worn treads. Tire treads don’t always show wear evenly. Treads that show uneven areas of wear may signify other problems, such as suspension issues or lack of proper alignment.
Sidewall strangeness. The sidewalls of your tires are also critically important for safe driving. Cut or cracked areas are a danger signal, as are lumps or bulges on the sidewall. Get those tires looked at immediately to avoid the risk of a blowout.
Reduced gas mileage. If your tire treads are worn or bald, your tires will have a harder time gripping the road. That makes your engine work harder, eating up more gas. Installing the right tires can increase your fuel efficiency by up to 10 percent — which means your tire investment will pay for itself in lower prices at the pump. If you’ve noticed you’re filling up your car more than usual, bad tires could be the culprit.
Your tires are the last thing to come between your car and the road. It’s smart to have a professional mechanic inspect your tires regularly to make sure that everything is shipshape and to replace them when necessary to keep motoring along safely.
