Belleville, IL Auto Repair: How do I know if I need new tires?
With all of the miles you put on your car, proper maintenance is essential to keeping things running well. You need to regularly inspect and maintain various parts of your car, from your oil to your tires. If you haven’t changed them in some time, here’s how to check if you need new ones.
The Penny Test
The most common way to check tire tread—and the easiest test for you to conduct at home—is the penny test. To check their treadwear using this method, simply wedge a penny into the grooves of one with Abraham Lincoln’s head pointing down. If the tread covers any part of Lincoln’s head, you should be alright. If not, your tread is wearing down and they need to be replaced.
Age of Tires
Like many things in life, tires have somewhat of a set lifespan. Of course, your results may vary depending on how you drive, the quality that you purchased, and the conditions of the roads you drive on.
In general, a new tire installation will last at least 50,000 miles. The average person drives about 12,000 miles each year, so a set of them rated for 50,000 miles should last for about four years.
Keep in mind that this isn’t necessarily set in stone. They may wear more quickly than this without regular tire balancing, and a lack of pressure could further contribute to the wear.
Other Factors of Tires
Even if your tires are newer and the tread is okay, there may be other problems that warrant a tire replacement.
Firstly, they are sensitive to extreme weather. Whether it’s a 100-degree summer day or a snowy winter evening, driving in extreme weather can increase wear on your tires and lead to you replacing them earlier than you would normally need to.
You may also want to replace them if you’re not driving on the right kind. Some tires are made specifically for summer and others for winter. If you have studded tires, you can only drive on them in snow or ice. Keep all of this in mind when considering new tires.
Your Move
If you’re still not sure whether you need a new set, bring your car to Hotz Automotive Services in Belleville, IL. We can inspect your tires and let you know if it’s time to have a new set installed.
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