Signs Of Wear And Checking Tread Depth
The solution to how long tires last may only be found in a crystal ball. However, there are very basic ways to get more mileage out of your tires safely and driver safety is always the priority.
There isn’t so much to do to tires really. Checking them each time you fill up your gas tank is a good idea. You will also need to check the tire air pressure, rotate the tires (or have an auto technician rotate them), and replace them before they become unsafe.
Checking the tire pressure isn’t difficult. You will need to know the proper air pressure for your tires. You can find that out by looking in your owner’s manual or in the doorjamb.
It is time to buy new tires when the tread has about 1/16” of thickness remaining. If possible, buy a complete set of tires, replacing just one tire may cause balance problems. When buying new tires, listen to the salespeople, but realize it is not possible to know how long a tire will last. Things like braking habits (hard-braking skids will wear out tires faster), road conditions, keeping the correct air pressure in your tires, and having them rotated at the proper times all determine the life of a tire.
Find out what your manufacturer recommends for the patterns of rotation for your vehicle. There are several ways to rotate tires according to the type tire you own. Radials are rotated in a cross-rotation pattern or modified X pattern. Cross rotating will even out wear and prolong tire life.
Tire wear indicators have been standard on tires made since 1968. These bars show up as ½’ wide smooth bands across the tire. When tire wear indicators become visible, replace the tire. You can also check wear with a gauge or penny. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head on two adjacent groves, the tire has less that 1/16” tread left and should be replaced.
Tags: chrysler tires, dodge tires, jeep tires