Five Signs You Need To Change Your Tires

By David Davison, Fatt Boyz

As winter gets closer, it is important to make sure your car will keep your family safe. Tires are one of the least complicated parts of your car, but one of the most important. Tires get old and worn and a tire failure can be catastrophic.

Here are five signs you should look out for to make sure your tires are safe:

1. Flat Tires

Getting regular flat tires or having tires that deflate regularly means your tire can’t hold the right amount of air. Have your tires and rim inspected. You could have a small leak or your rim may be bent, breaking the seal around the inner tire.

2.Tread Depth

During the winter months, we are constantly driving on wet, slick surfaces. The tread on your tires should never fall below 1/16 of an inch in depth and double that during the winter. Newer tires have tread wear indicator bars built into the tires. These bars are invisible, but begin to appear as the tread wears down. If more than one of these are visible on the tire, the tread is getting low.

3. Cracks, Bulges and Blisters

As the outer surface of the tire wears down, cracks, bulges or blisters can occur. These are signs your tire is developing a leak and could blow out while you’re driving. Take your car in immediately if you notice these signs.

4. Age

The manufacture date is located on the side of your tire. After five years of use, you should get them inspected yearly. If your tires are more than ten years old, it is recommended you replace them even if there is no visible damage.

5. Abnormal Vibration

A certain amount of vibration is inevitable when driving. However, vibrations can be an indicator of various tire problems. Belts or inner cords of the tire can separate or shift causing major vibrations at highway speeds. This causes tire balancing issues and the tire will need replaced.

Local BBB Accredited mechanics and repair shops like Fatt Boyz can help you identify problems with your tires and set you up with tire repair or new ones.