Check that your tires are in top condition for safe travels.
Ensuring that a vehicle’s tires are safe and road-ready is crucial for both driver safety and vehicle performance. Regular tire checks are a fundamental aspect of vehicle maintenance that should never be ignored. In fact, these are normal responsibilities of every vehicle owner and driver.
Because basic safety measures like checking tire tread depth often go overlooked, we wanted to present a comprehensive guide that features tire check essentials. We will cover how to check tire tread, why tires wear, warning signs of detrimental wear and tear, and recommendations for go-to brands for quality tire replacements.
The Importance of Tire Checks
Regular tire checks are a vital part of routine vehicle maintenance. Remember, the tires are the only point of contact between your vehicle and the road, making their condition critical for safe driving. Tires are also a wear item, meaning the more a tire is driven on, the more it will wear.
By conducting tire checks regularly, you can identify issues early on and help prevent potential accidents, flat tires, or tire blowouts. Ideally, you should ensure your tires are safe and road-ready every month. This is also recommended before embarking on long journeys, to ensure optimal safety and performance on the road.
Why Do Tires Wear Out?
Besides standard wear and tear, other factors can deteriorate a tire quicker than normal. These include poor tire management (rotation and proper inflation), driving style, road conditions, climate, vehicle alignment and tracking, and tire quality and design. In general – and under optimal conditions – an average tire will last 25,000 miles and up to 50,000 miles.
Consider: Jimbo runs a set of cheapo, no-name imported mud terrains equipped on a poorly aligned truck. He drives on pothole-strewn and unmaintained roads, tows a trailer, and does burnouts for kicks. His tires get smoked in no time. On the other hand, Grandpa’s like-new and perfectly aligned pickup truck is sporting Toyo Open Country A/T II Tires. He runs weekly errands around town, takes his wife to church, and ventures up to the cabin every few months. Grandpa can expect these tires to achieve a high mileage without issue.
However, Grandpa will still replace them eventually, since he knows that all tires will age out due to their shelf life and expiration date. It’s a good idea to replace tires—even those with no signs of critical wear or defect—every six years. No tire should be driven on if it was manufactured ten years ago or more.
Methods for Checking Tire Tread
One of the essential aspects of tire checks is assessing tire tread depth. The point of the tire tread is to grip the road surface. Insufficient tread depth can significantly compromise braking performance, vehicle tracking, ride quality, and traction. These symptoms are magnified in poor road conditions, especially in wet or icy weather, increasing the risk of hydroplaning or skidding.
According to AAA, a tire’s tread depth should never fall below 1/16th of an inch. However, it’s a good rule of thumb to replace a tire once the tread depth reaches 4/32nds of an inch. Once that tread depth threshold is surpassed, the stopping distance has already begun to be hampered.
There are several methods for checking tire tread depth. They are all super easy and take only seconds of your time per tire:
The Penny Test: Insert a penny into the tread grooves with Lincoln's head facing downwards. If you can see the top of Abe’s head, then it's time to replace your tires.
Using a Gauge: Tire tread depth gauges are inexpensive tools designed specifically for measuring tread depth accurately. Simply insert the gauge into the tread grooves and read the depth displayed. The tool will indicate a precise measurement.
Built-in Tread Wear Indicators: Many modern tires come equipped with built-in tread wear indicators. These indicators are small raised bars located at various points within the tread grooves. When the tread wears down to the level of these bars, it's a clear sign that the tire needs replacement.
Irregular Patterns And Other Tire Defects To Watch For
In addition to tread depth, there are other important indicators of abnormal tire wear and tear that should not be ignored:
- Uneven wear patterns on the surface tread can indicate improper inflation or alignment/suspension problems. Addressing these issues promptly can extend the lifespan of your tires and improve vehicle handling.
- Cracks in the sidewall or bulges in the tire indicate potential structural damage or internal weakness. These issues can lead to sudden tire failure and should be addressed immediately.
- Advanced age can pose a significant threat to a tire’s integrity. Tires deteriorate over time, particularly in hot climates or if the vehicle is parked outdoors for extended periods. As noted, tires should be replaced every six to ten years, regardless of tread wear.
Practice Good Tire Maintenance
Any time you pause to take a close look at your tires, you should go one step further and ensure they are properly inflated according to the manufacturer's product specifications. Proper inflation is important because it maintains the symbiotic balance of tire design and function as intended. It also optimizes fuel mileage.
A tire pressure gauge is an essential, and affordable, device that should be found in every vehicle glove box. (We like this user-friendly digital option from TireMinder.) The optimal tire pressure rating is printed on the tire’s sidewall. Every gas station has an air compressor. There is no excuse for underinflated or overinflated tires.
Tire rotation is another good practice to even out tire wear and tear. By following the simple procedure of rotating tires every 5,000 to 7,500 miles you can extend the tire life even further. Make sure to follow the vehicle’s manual, since rotation intervals vary from model to model.
Lastly, vehicle alignment is another important consideration for good tire maintenance.
Correct wheel and tire alignment is crucial for maintaining even tire wear across all corners of the vehicle. Proper wheel alignment will help prevent premature wear on tire edges or the center, thereby extending the lifespan of your tires.
Tire Replacement Recommendations
When it comes time to replace your tires—and eventually you will have to—opting for quality brands is key to ensuring safety and performance. Here are some recommended tire options from trusted brands:
Daily Driving Tires:
Yokohama AVID Touring-S
MAXXIS RAZR HT
Falken Sincera SN250 A/S
Performance Tires:
Mickey Thompson Street Comp
MAXXIS Victra VR-1
Falken Azenis FK460 A/S
Off-Road Tires:
Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T Tire
Yokohama GEOLANDAR X-MT
FURY Off Road Country Hunter MT II Tire
Stay Balanced
Regular tire checks are a non-negotiable aspect of vehicle maintenance that directly impacts your safety on the road. By incorporating tire checks into your routine maintenance schedule, and being vigilant for warning signs of wear and tear, you can ensure that your tires are safe and always road-ready.
When it's time for replacement, remember to choose quality tires from reputable brands like Mickey Thompson, Yokohama, MAXXIS, Toyo, Falken, and FURY. Stay safe on the road, and don't forget to leave a comment below to share your tire maintenance tips or experiences!