Just because your tires look fine doesn’t mean they aren’t a danger for you and everyone else on the road.
Maybe your tires look ok but you’ve been driving on them for a while so you’re left with the nagging feeling: is it time to change my tires?
It’s easy for gradual tire damage to go unnoticed until you find yourself sliding off the road or skidding sideways. If you commute everyday, it becomes even easier to miss that gradual wear and tear that happens to your tires everyday.
In this straightforward guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how to tell when it’s time for a tire change. Our method is so easy, anyone can manage it!
Where to Buy Replacement Tires
Before we find out when to replace your tires it’s important to know where to find affordable tires. Replacing tires can be expensive but if you shop with a coupon code, you can save on new tires from all the best brands.
Advance Auto Parts offers replacement parts for cars and trucks. You can find all the tire tools and equipment you need to easily change your tires. Take care of our car with an Advance Auto Parts coupon. By adding a coupon to your shopping cart at checkout, you’ll be able to enjoy a discount on your next purchases.
How long do tires last?
The reality is that there is no set amount of time that a set of tires will last. It depends on a variety of factors including:
- The brand and design of the tire
- The habits of the driver
- The weather where you regularly drive
- Road condition
- Tire maintenance
For instance, winter tires will show signs of wear and tear more quickly due to their construction. The softer compounds the tires are made of well help with driving in the snow but they wear quickly on dry pavement
Tough weather conditions are rough on both tires which will eventually wear them down. If you never check your tire pressure or your wheel alignment you’ll cause your tires to lose their lifespan even faster.
It’s important that you check your tires at least every couple of months and every time you head out on a long car trip. Here’s what you should look out for.
Tread Wear
Look at the tread in your tires and check for any signs of wear and tear. Between the threads of the eqah tire you’ll find small lines of rubber. These are called wear bars. The road will eventually wear these lines and cause your tires to lose traction.
Yes, you can actually use a quarter to determine if your tire is still good to use. Put the edge of a coin into your tire tread. If the top of the Queen’s head is covered by the tread, then that’s good. If her head is completely visible, then you need new tires.
Tire Pressure
The owner’s manual of your vehicle will tell you the optimal amount of tire pressure your tires should have. This is generally stated in the measure of pounds per square inch – or otherwise known as “psi”. To check our tire pressure, all you need is a tire gauge. You can follow this simple guide to check your tire pressure yourself.
Both underinflated and overinflated tires will actually cause your tires to wear down even faster. It can also cause your car to consume more gas and your tires to have reduced grip. For the best reading, make sure your tires are completely cooled before you measure the tire pressure.