Are Your Tires Begging To Be Changed?

Tires are one of the most important components of your vehicle. Their health is critical because a faulty tire has the potential to blow out while driving, resulting in a serious accident.

Damage to tires is much more common in India, where the roads are frequently riddled with potholes, than in first-world countries.

Here we delve into the details of how to know if your vehicle’s tires need to be changed.

Signs That Shouldn’t Be Ignored

It's a good idea to keep an eye on the condition of your tires. Some indicators that the tire's health is deteriorating include:

• Bulges;

• Abrasions;

• Cracks.

If cracks and abrasions start developing on the tires, it is an indication of the fact that the tire’s rubber has become too stiff.

The rubber in new tires is soft and thus more flexible. Tires, on the other hand, stiffen as they age and are driven around. Cracks form as a result of this stiffness.

If you see any cracks, you must take your vehicle to an expert for a checkup.

How Can Tire Tread Show When To Replace Your Vehicle’s Tires?

An effective way of knowing whether or not your tires need to be replaced is by checking the tire tread.

When tires are used, friction occurs, and as a result, they wear off over time or after thousands of kilometers of driving.

Professionals inspect the tread of tires to determine when they need to be replaced. But how would you know from the tread whether or not this time has come?

Well, there are various methods of checking the tire tread.

By Using The Tire Tread Depth Gauge

The first method involves using a tire tread depth gauge for the purpose. It is one of the most effective ways of checking the health of your vehicle’s tires.

First, you need to physically examine the tire and find the spot which has the shallowest groove. After locating this point, all you need to do is insert the pin of the tire tread depth gauge into this groove.

However, during the process, make sure that the base is properly flushed with the tire so you get an accurate reading.

For the Indian roads, experts recommend replacing the tire when the tread has reached a value of 16mm. After this point, using the tires is not only dangerous for yourself but also for others on the road.

By Using The Tire Tread Wear Indicator

Tire manufacturers know that their tires will wear off with use and customers need to know when it’s the right time to replace them.

This is why most manufacturers add tiny raised bars on the tires which indicate the point beyond which the tires must not be worn off.

This means that this is the point beyond which even the tire manufacturer thinks that it is unsafe to operate the tires.

Final Verdict

As a tire is the only part of the vehicle that is directly in contact with the tarmac, it is the only component of your vehicle which ensures that the vehicle stays safe on the road.

A worn-out tire has a high chance of getting burst and in case this happens at a high speed, the result can even be fatal.

This is why keep a check on your vehicle’s tires to know when they are begging to be changed.