How often should you get new tires for your car?

Mechanics and car manufacturers have a consensus that tires usually last 6 years before being them with new ones. Tire maintenance plays a critical role in ensuring that your tires last the entirety of the 6 years. Some of these practices include inspecting tire pressure and rotating it annually. However, as a car owner, you want to know when and how often should you get new tires for your car.

When to Replace Your Tires?

Tires have grooves embedded within them called treads that help the vehicle grip the road. Treads wear over time, resulting in reduced traction, and increased braking time, and pose a challenge when steering. A tread depth at 2/32nds of an inch is deemed unsafe and necessitates new tire replacement. You can inspect the treads using a penny or tread gauges.

How Often Should You Get New Tires for Your Car?

Several factors determine the frequency of replacing worn-out tires with new tires. When replacing tires, ask yourself when was the last time you changed them, if the car is old, and the distance you drive weekly to gauge your mileage.

Mileage

A general rule of thumb is to change your tires every 25K to 50K miles. When buying a used or pre-owned vehicle, it is important to inspect the total mileage on its dashboard. The figures would indicate how soon you would want new tires.

Duration

Most vehicle specialists recommend changing tires every 6 years. If you are driving constantly, you should replace the tires before 6 years. Conversely, if you go less often, you can take a few additional years on top of the 6 years.

You should use the date information provided by the tire manufacturer on the tires to determine when to change them. When a tire is manufactured, the week and year are printed on the outside of the tire as a four-digit number. The first two digits designate the week and the last two digits year of manufacture.

All vehicle owners need to know the benefits of changing their tires and how often they should do it. Old tires can affect how your vehicle brakes and steers, leading to accidents. Replacing your tires would help prevent avoidable damages and loss of lives.

Wonder how often should you get new tires for your car? Call our ASE Certified mechanics at Expert Car Care to find out more about tire repair services and to request an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in the community of West Allis, WI, and the surrounding area.

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.