Auto Mechanics | Blog | When To Change Your Tires
When Is A Good Time To Change My Tires?
When to change your tires depends on the driving conditions and current tread wear on your tires rubber. Every drive, especially the long ones, should involve a quick vehicle walk around inspection – including your tires. With continuous stop and go traffic in the city or a long distance stretch of road, your tires bear the weight.
Either road you travel, knowing when to change your tires is good information to have so you can reach your destination safely. Here’s a few tips for when to change the tires.
Smooth Tread Wear
When the rubber on your tire is less than 2 millimeters deep, they should be changed. Less than 2 millimeter tread depth will affects traction and braking of your vehicle. The smoothness of your tires will negatively impact the grip on the road and when you need to come to a sudden stop. Tire traction around a corners will be affected and the wet weather rain will not agree.
In any case, low or smooth tread wear is a danger hazard to you and your passengers safety. So when you inspect your vehicle before driving out, be sure to have a look at your tires tread depth.
Damaged or Worn Tires
Any wear anywhere on the tire, including the edges should be replaced. A worn out tire is also a safety hazard because it could burst at any given time. Another possibility of changing your tire is if and when you encounter a nasty pothole in the road. You definitely know when you’ve hit one. A serious pothole can not only damage the tire but also the wheel itself and your vehicles suspension. If a pothole situation occurs, before you carry on driving pull to the side and check your tires and wheels are in running condition.
Tire Puncture or Leak
If your tire is leaking air, it should be changed and repaired if possible. Depending on where the leak is coming from a simple tire plug at your local garage will fix the leaky tire. Attempting to drive on a flat (unless your tires are run flat technology) is not a good recipe and will certainly cause damage elsewhere. Not to mention an imbalance in driving. This imbalance is another hazard to be avoided. Your vehicles handling on a flat tire is drastically, if not entirely reduced.
Tire Wear Damage & Puncture
Should any wear, tear, damage or puncture on your tires present itself, it is a good idea to change the tire immediately before driving out. A DIY tire change is not difficult but requires a bit of strength and knowledge on safety when raising your vehicle with a jack. If you’d rather a professional tire shop to change your tire, you can get the tire replaced and balance the wheel to avoid vibration when driving. You could still keep the mag wheel as it needs to match the other mag wheels on your car.
