It is estimated that there are roughly 11,000 accidents in the U.S. every year due to driving on worn-out or damaged tires. Many drivers don’t routinely check the wear on their tires, know how many miles their tires have covered, or even think about tires until they have a flat. So, what are the warning signs for needing new tires?
First of all, if you’re feeling more vibration than usual when driving, it could be a sign of internal damage in a tire. Some vibration is normal when driving, particularly on rough roads. But if your car is shaking even on smooth roads, it may be time to have your tires checked. And even if the root of the problem is not a tire, constant vibration will eventually damage tires.
Also, check the tread wear indicator bars on your tires. These are flat areas perpendicular to the treads that begin to become more visible as the tread wears down. If you’re seeing more than a few flat areas, it may be time to do the “penny test.” Simply insert a penny, with Lincoln’s head first, between the treads of the tire. If you can still see Abe’s entire head, your tread is too worn down, and it’s time for a new tire.
Even simpler than the penny test is a quick visual check of both the surface and the sidewalls of your tires. If you see any bumps that look like blisters on the tire’s surface, this is a bad sign. A bulge in the tire is an indication of a serious weakness that could result in a dangerous blowout. Additionally, visible cracks, grooves, or cuts in the sidewalls could be a sign of an air leak or impending rupture.
Finally, when looking at the treads of your tires, check for anything embedded in the tire. It is not unusual for nails or other sharp objects to puncture a tire and remain in place. This can result in a slow air leak that will eventually turn into a flat tire. Punctures can often be repaired, but if the hole is large enough, a replacement tire is often needed.
If you haven’t performed these quick checks on your tires in a while, it might be a good idea to take the time. It’s certainly worth ten minutes to avoid being part of that 11,000 tire-related accidents statistic!