How to know if your car’s tires are in good condition: 4 factors
It is correct to say that the tires are the only vehicle component that makes direct contact with the road’s surface.
Because it is the only point of support for your vehicle when it is in connection with the street, the four points of contact with the pavement need to be in the best possible condition for as long as they are going to be used.
This applies to the pressures as well as the tread pattern. If the tire is highly worn and deteriorated, it will not grip the road well.
Because of this, it is essential to inspect the tires to determine whether or not it is necessary to replace them, as the poor condition of the tires is one of the primary causes of accidents on our roads.
As a result, knowing how to check and determine the condition of your tires is required to ensure that you are safe on the roads.
As a result of the fact that many users fail to provide their tires with the periodic attention they deserve, some accidents occur on the road that could have been avoided in advance if the driver had performed a check-up.
In addition, checking the condition of your tires does not require you to go to a garage because it is unnecessary.
You will only be necessary to visit your workshop if there is a change so that the mechanics there can replace the tires for you.
Many motorists operate their vehicles with the wrong tire pressures, which should be considered to ensure our safety on the roads.
This is something that can cause severe damage not only to our tires but also to our bodies.
In this context, a Continental study found that most drivers (two out of three) are unaware of the appropriate tread depth for their tires.
Examine your tires and get familiar with how to identify their condition.
It is a common and dangerous practice for motorists to wait until they embark on a long journey before inspecting the state of their tires.
However, as was previously mentioned, the tires’ condition must be checked consistently and consistently.
In this article, we will walk you through each of the four components that play a role in determining the overall condition of your tires.
1. Perform an inspection using your eyes to look for nicks, bulges, or crystallization
It is possible to learn a great deal about the state of our tires simply by visually examining them. Nibbles are those gaps that are typically caused by curbing.
Nibbles severely compromise the tire’s internal structure, making it much more susceptible to punctures or blowouts.
Bites are the first step toward a blowout or a hole, requiring you to replace the damaged tire no matter where you are, so keep an eye out for them. Bites are the precursor to blowouts and punctures.
The same holds if you find lumps, also known as eggs, in the tire’s sidewall.
This is a symptom, similar to bite marks, that the integrity and internal structure of the tire have been compromised, making it more susceptible to a puncture or blowout.
If you find yourself in such a circumstance, you should not change the tires, no matter how expensive they may be.
Consider that by not doing it, you are putting your safety and the safety of the other people in the vehicle at risk; in addition, if you are going to have to go through the ITV shortly, forget about passing it.
Crystallization is a factor that, along with several other factors, determines the state of your tires. This occurs when the surface becomes more brittle and noticeably loses its grip.
Suppose you cannot dig your fingernail into your tire, and the cover looks shiny and stiff.
In that case, you have a crystallized tire, which has a noticeable decrease in grip on the road and, in the event of rain, aquaplaning, or braking with a relatively short braking distance, the tire’s reaction will not be the recommended one compared to one that is in good condition.
To detect this phenomenon, we recommend digging your fingernail into your tire.
2. Check to see if the tread has worn down consistently
Naturally, as they rack up the miles, all tires experience wear that gets progressively worse up until they need to be replaced.
However, it is essential to remember that the wear should always be consistent.
Problems with the pressure of these or issues with the suspension of our car that is not well aligned may cause uneven wear of the tire or the tires, which are apparent symptoms that something is wrong.
A tire is considered flat if the tread’s outer edges have more wear than the center of the track (lack of pressure).
If, on the other hand, there is more wear in the middle of the tread, the tire is inflated to a higher pressure than recommended.
On the other hand, if the tire is worn on only one side, this could indicate issues with the vehicle’s suspension or alignment.
The lifespan of a tire worn in a manner that is non-uniform or uneven will be significantly reduced.
Suppose our vehicle does not travel in a straight line due to an issue with the axle, defective bearings, suspensions, or bearings.
In that case, the useful life of our tires will be drastically reduced, and this reduction will not be reversible.
Because of these flaws, you will fail the ITV without consideration, your pass through the review will be unfavorable, and as a result, you will be required to pay a higher price.
Therefore, if we notice that our tires are wearing unevenly, it is best to take the vehicle to a trustworthy mechanic who can either replace the tires or diagnose the underlying issue that is causing these irregularities in the first place.
In addition to those above, it is highly suggested that you use a depth gauge to determine whether the wear is uniform.
This tool can be purchased at a low cost at any auto repair shop, garage, or similar establishment.
It is straightforward to use; all you need to do is insert the depth gauge into the tire’s main channels and measure the tire’s three main areas: the outside, the center, and the inside.
By doing so, you will have determined whether or not the tread on your tires is wearing evenly or whether or not this is, in fact, not in your best interest.
3. Perform tire pressure checks once every 14 days (routine)
Checking the pressure in your tires regularly can help avoid issues such as tire bite and tire wear, which are both problems that can be avoided by doing so and can also prevent a major issue from occurring.
Not only should we check the pressure before going on a long trip or going on vacation, but it is recommended that we check the tire pressure every two weeks.
You would be surprised to learn that many drivers circulate on the roads with inadequate force in their cars without being aware of it.
We should check the pressure before going on a long or vacation trip.
This significantly diminishes the tires’ performance and functionality, such as a substantially longer stopping distance, a loss of control due to low pressure, or a blowout situation that will require us to come to a stop.
Do not make the mistake of believing that tires with good pressure are indestructible.
Like any system, it wears out regularly, but it helps the car react safely and optimizes fuel consumption.
Remember that the stress you should inflate your tires can be found in the manual with your vehicle.
However, do not fall into the error of believing that tires with good pressure are indestructible.
In conclusion, we would like to point out that most service stations have machines that can check the tension in your tires; if you have any doubts, it is not a bad idea to go to one of these machines and check the pressure.
4. Take a close look at the condition of the tread on your tires
A close look at the track is one of the most reliable ways to determine whether or not it is time to replace your tires.
To begin, you must bring the vehicle to a stop on level ground, engage the hand brake, and, most importantly, turn the steering wheel so you can more easily examine the tread.
Only then can you properly inspect the tires?
Studs, also known as witnesses, can be found on the tire’s tread pattern. These studs mark the required minimum tread depth, which is 1.6 millimeters.
If the lugs make contact with the road surface, this is an unmistakable sign that the tire has experienced significant wear and should be replaced.
In other words, when the tread reaches the level of the lug (as a result of wear), the tire has reached its legal limit and cannot be used anymore.
The 1.6 mm thick rubber treadwear indicators that we have just explained are present at the bottom of the longitudinal channels of the tire.
Still, at the same time, there are the classic indicators, which are those small symbols that are located on the sidewall of the tire and have one of the following shapes: TWI, also known as the Tire Wear Indicator, a triangle, or the manufacturer’s logo may also be present.
When the classic telltales begin to deteriorate, which happens when the tread is losing thickness, the analysis of the track is based not only on appearance but also on wear.
¿Did you like the content?
