Your tires support the weight of your car. They give you traction. They impact your cars performance. Unless there is a problem you may not be aware of the importance of inspecting and maintaining your tires. Knowing when to replace your tires will protect you and help to avoid costly repairs.
Tire Wear and Tread Wear Indicators
The first way to tell if you need new tires is to look for the tread wear indicators. They are located at the base of the main grooves, are smooth strips of rubber that cross the tread and are equally spaced all around the tire. As a tire wears out, the tread wear indicators will be more clearly visible. When the tire indicators reach a remaining tread depth of 2/32" (1.5 mm) it is considered unsafe. You must replace your tires before they have reached this point. Deeper tread tires provide better handling and grip. Your tire’s tread needs to be thick enough to grip the road and properly stop and maneuver.
You may experience slipping and loss of stability on wet roads when your treads are worn down to about 4/32" (3.2 mm) of remaining tread depth. If you will need to drive in snow or icy conditions you should replace your tires even sooner. Specialty tires have varied tread patterns that are made to enhance performance for different road types and weather conditions. Specialty tires, such as all-terrain and winter tires, resist uneven tread wear and provide longer lasting tread life.
Besides measuring the tread, be sure to look for large sidewall cracks and bulging spots. Bulges create weak spots on the tire surfaces. This can increase the chance of a blow out or hydroplaning.
Uniroyal tires in Fort Washington, MD are tires you can depend on. Contact your local dealer to ask about the tires warranty and register your tires.
Extending the Life of Your Tires
Obviously, tires wear out and lose tread quicker the more you drive, but mileage and age are not the only cause of tire wear and tear. Driving habits can protect your Uniroyal tires in Fort Washington, MD.
- Avoid accelerating too quickly, making your tires go against the road and possibly leave a strip of black rubber on the road
- Do not Stop too quickly
- Do not drive at top speeds
- Avoid fast turns
- Avoid driving over potholes, debris, curbs and curbs Do not Drive with heavy loads that exceed the maximum weight of the tires
Tire Maintenance
Your tires need regular maintenance to keep them in shape and working properly. There are many things you can do to extend the life of your tires such as:
- Rotating your tires
- Maintaining proper inflation
- Inspecting tires once a month
- Ensuring that wheels are properly aligned
Your tires are an investment. Uniroyal tires in Fort Washington, MD will serve you well.