What Are the Signs of Bad Tires?

Have you been visiting your auto repair shop more frequently than typical for urgent tire repair?  If so, it is probably time to change your old tires with new tires that will provide you with a smoother ride and a safer vehicle.  

What are the signs of bad tires, you ask?  Rare vibrations, feeling of loss of control, squealing around corners are all signs of bad tires.  What should you do?  First of all, slow down!  Then drive with caution to a tire repair shop.  Or, you may want to take off the bad tire and put the spare on if you can’t keep driving safely.  In the worst-case scenario, you might want to contact a tow truck.

Here are two easy methods of determining when it’s time to buy new tires:

• Penny test – Place a Lincoln penny upside down into the tread on some spots about 15 inches apart around the tire. If you see most of Lincoln’s head in several positions, it’s time for new tires.
• Wear Bars – Many of the new tires today have built-in “wear bars.”  If this bar is visible it’s definitely time for new tires.

Shopping for new tires is often an anxious situation for a lot of car owners. They cringe at the thought of how much it prices for tires. And how do you choose the best kind of tire for your vehicle?  Here are several questions to consider when choosing tires:

• What is the purpose of the tire?  
• How many miles do you drive? 
• What kind of road do you usually drive on (gravel, smooth pavement, etc.? 
• What kinds of weather do you consistently drive in? 
• How do you store your tires when not in use?

Need to know more about what are the signs of bad tires?  Call our ASE Certified mechanics at Expert Car Care for more information about new tires and to request an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in the community of West Allis, WI, and the surrounding area.

How Often Do You Need to Change Your Tires?

Buying new tires is a big investment in your car.  A whole set of tires normally includes four matching tires and a spare.  If you are like many people, it may be hard to come up with that much money very often.  So a question often asked by car owners is, “How often do you need to change your tires?”  

It is a common practice for tire manufacturers to list the specific lifespan of a tire, which is normally about 25,000 to 50,000 miles.  However, the number of miles driven every year plus the quality of the tires are two factors in determining how many miles your tires will actually last.  

Here are several easy and inexpensive tips that will help you take care of your tires:    

• Visual Checkup – Look for excessive tread wear, nicks in the rubber, or nails or punctures.  
• Inspect Inflation Pressure – The right inflation pressure ensures optimal contact with the road, improves fuel economy, and helps the tread wear more evenly.  Icy temperatures cause air pressure to fluctuate more speedily so inspect the air pressure frequently as winter approaches.
• Load Index – This is the amount of weight your tires are designed to withstand.  Overcapacity can lead to overheating and damage to your tires.  Consult your owner’s manual for the right size of tire for your vehicle.  
• Rotating Tires – Moving tires around to a different position on your car protects against uneven tread wear.  Have your tires rotated about every 6 months or 6,000 to 8,000 miles?  
• Car Alignment – Alignment refers to an adjustment of the car’s suspension so that the angles of the tires affect how they make contact with the road.  
• Tire Balancing – Keep your tires in balance for smooth rolling of the tire. 

Compared to the cost of new tires, inspecting your tires on a regular basis is relatively inexpensive and will help prevent emergency tire repairs that could leave you stranded on the side of the road.  The time and frustration you may experience are not worth trying to save a few dollars.

Are you worried about how often do you need to change your tires?  Call our ASE Certified technicians at Expert Car Care for more information about needed tire repair service and to request an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in the community of West Allis, WI, and the surrounding area.