For many of us, our cars are an unexplored mystery: we cross our fingers when we turn the ignition key hoping that the engine will turn over and that we will be able to get to where we want to go and on time. One cannot claim helplessness and still be a responsible car owner: if you drive, then you have a duty to know the basics of how your car operates and when to have routine maintenance done. This is not only for your own sake, but for the sake of everyone else sharing the road with you. How do you know if it’s time to get new tires for your car? Following is a beginner’s guide to knowing what signs to look for.
The most basic indication that tires need to be replaced is baldness: if the tread on one or more of your tires looks smooth or when they measure 4/32 inch, it’s time to replace them. The fact is that tires with bad tread will not provide the traction you need in inclement conditions such as rain or snow; worse, they may not provide reliable traction even under the best conditions!
It might not be necessary to replace all of your tires at the same time. You most definitely want to rotate your car’s tires twice a year to ensure that they wear evenly. Considering the average sedan, a new tire can cost about $250; many people find that easier to take if they replace their tires one at a time when they can.
The newest tires will have the deepest treads, so they should go on the rear axle. This will help to prevent deadly spin-outs in inclement weather. If you have the best tires on the front axle and the ones on the rear are bald, then the good tires will provide the traction, but the rear will get out of your control: this is the worst scenario and possibly a deadly one at that. If you replace your tires in pairs, then insist that the newer tires go on the rear axle until you are able to replace the ones on the front.
Take care of your tires and don’t hold off replacing them when you need to: this is one of the keys to responsible car ownership and it just makes good sense. It will keep your car running longer and it will keep you and everyone around you safer.