How often should you replace your tires?

Whenever you take your car out on the road, your tires become a little more worn.  This doesn’t mean you are a bad car driver; it’s just the nature of tires.  They are the only part of your car that actually touches the road. Thus, it’s vital that you take good care of them with regular tire service.

If you have a tire blow out or a tire goes flat while you’re driving, especially at a high speed, the result could be disastrous!  You may be stranded in the middle of nowhere, or even worse, be the cause of an accident.  The time to take care of any needed repairs is before something goes wrong!  

To make sure your tires are in as good condition as possible, here are 4 simple tire service tips that you can do yourself:

1. Inspect tread depth – The tread on your tires should not fall below 1/16 of an inch—double that if you regularly drive on wet slick roads.  You can see how much tread depth you have left by inserting a penny into the tread.  If Abe’s entire head remains visible, you don't have enough tread to drive safely.   Fresher tires now have built-in tread-wear indicator—flat rubber bars that run perpendicular to the direction of the tread.  It’s time to purchase new tires if you see these bars begin to seem on any of your tires.
2. Inspect for cracks in the sidewall – Crack may indicate air is leaking out of the tire and your tire is losing pressure. If the cracks look very serious, schedule a tire service as soon as possible. 
3. Inspect for bulges and blisters in the rubber – When the outer surface of the tire begins to wear out, bulges and blisters can show up, weak spots that are vulnerable to a blowout.  
4. Feeling excessive vibration – If you are an experienced driver, you know how much vibration is usual, and when it is too much.  More than usual vibration is usually a sign of issues so schedule a tire service to inspect for unstable tires, worn-out shock absorbers, or issues.    

Don’t endanger yourself, your passengers, and other motorists with a flat tire or blow-out on the road. Keep up with regular tire service and replace tires as needed.

Are you wondering how often should you replace your tires?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, for more information about regular tire service and to make an appointment. Since 1975, our family-owned auto repair shop has proudly served vehicle owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.