Categories: AUTOMOTIVE

How to Check Tires for Wear

Maintaining correct tire pressure is important for safety as well as gas mileage, and proper tread depth is necessary for traction. Incorrect tire pressure can cause a driver to lose control of a vehicle as can too little tread. Save money by saving fuel, and maintain accurate tire pressure. In addition, the ways in which tires wear are problem indicators. The following tips will show you how to check and care for your tires in an effort to diagnose potential problems, and they will help save money while sustaining safety on the road.

Checking Pressure

Approximately once a month, check tires for unusual wear and accurate pressure, especially during winter months when temperatures are generally cooler. Tire pressure can drop considerably during the colder months of winter.

Don’t count on accurate tire pressure if the vehicle has been driven within the past four hours. Allow the tires to become cold before gauging the pressure. Look for the pounds per square inch (PSI) rating on the sidewalls of the tires, and take the vehicle to the nearest service station to add air if necessary. In addition, don’t forget to occasionally check the pressure of your spare tire since you never know when you might need it.

Don’t rely on the accuracy of the gauge attached to the air compressor hose at the service station. It could be inaccurate since it’s exposed to the elements and frequently used. Buy a quality air pressure gauge, and keep it in the vehicle at all times. You’ll be able to attain an accurate reading no matter where you are.

Checking Tread Depth

A Lincoln penny is worth more than one cent if you don’t have a gauge to check tread depth. Although a depth gauge is handy and provides an accurate measurement of depth, it isn’t completely necessary. To check your tires with a Lincoln penny, place the penny headfirst into a groove. If the top of Lincoln’s head is visible, the tread is below one-sixteenth of an inch. Tires with such shallow tread are seriously in need of replacement.

Visual Inspections

Besides regularly checking tread depth, it’s also a good idea to do a complete visual inspection to look for any abnormalities or areas of excessive wear. Careful inspection on a regular basis can help prevent a dangerous blowout.

Examine the sidewalls and tread for aberrations. Wavy tread and abnormal raised areas on the sides of tires are indications of internal problems, and damaged or defective tires should be replaced immediately.

Wear bars showing through is another indication of inadequate tread. Although tires should be replaced before wear bars are visible, if horizontal bars begin to appear, it’s definitely time to invest in new tires.

Problem Indicators

Pay attention to the overall condition of worn tires. It’s possible to diagnose vehicle problems by examining wear patterns. Rear tires on a front-wheel drive vehicle that are worn along the shoulders, and front tires with more than minimal wear along the edges are an indication of an alignment problem. Frequently turning corners hard will also excessively wear down tread along the edges. If the overall tread is still good, rotate the tires, and have the vehicle professionally aligned as soon as possible.

Tires with flat spots could be the result of brakes excessively gripping. Check the calipers, and make the proper adjustments if necessary. Larger flat spots are likely the result of worn shocks. Check the shocks if their condition is in question. Refer to your owner’s manual regarding shock replacement recommendations. If the tires are badly worn, replace them as soon as possible.

Spottier wear is an indication of a loose suspension and unbalanced tires. If the majority of the tread on the tires is still good, have them balanced, and rotate them as soon as possible. Have the suspension professionally checked, and if necessary, have it adjusted to improve handling and to prevent uneven tread wear.