Tire Replacement Guide: When You Should Replace Your Tires

Tire replacement are important; your safety, and the safety of others, depends on them. Not only are sufficient tires a safety concern but it is also a legal requirement in Arizona among many other states. Poor tires put you at a higher risk of getting a puncture or experiencing heat damage or a blowout in hot weather. As a responsible driver, you must confidently identify a few tell-tale signs that your tires need to be replaced. Regular self-inspections will help you notice any issues early and let you avoid problems further down the road. Do these three things throughout your car or truck’s entire lifespan to ensure your tires always stay in good condition.

Inspect tread wear

Tire tread depth directly improves your grip on the road leading to a better grip on the pavement with improved handling. To cope with the challenges of maintaining grip in wet conditions, you’ll need a minimum tread depth of 1/16th of an inch. If your tread is below a certain depth then you’ll need a new set of tires. It is important to know what to look for when checking this factor. The easiest way to tell if your tread is wearing too low is with a quarter. Simply stick the quarter into the tread upside down with Washington’s head first. If the top of George’s head is covered by tread, at multiple points around the tire, then you’re okay. If the top of his head is visible at any point, however then you need new tires.

Identify overexposure

Heat and light take a dramatic toll on rubber regardless of where you live. As a result, the intensity of ultraviolet rays in Arizona greatly increases the odds of your tires experiencing structural damage such as dry rot. Be sure to be thorough in your examination of these all-important pieces to the puzzle. Look closely, UV damage can be difficult to spot on the exterior of your tire. Keep an eye out for any brittleness and cracks in the tread or sidewalls of each of the tires. Color is also a great indicator. A faded, graying rubber is the first sign that you may have some underlying issues. Regular review of this factor will give you peace of mind every time you hit the road.

Determine tire age

Tire replacement is recommended every six to seven years even if you have sufficient tread and color. Tire longevity can vary significantly, particularly in harsh environments such as those found in Arizona. Condition is influenced by your driving habits, local conditions as well as unpredictable occurrences such as hitting a pothole or a shard of glass. You can find out the age of your tires by looking at the four-digit DOT stamp always found on the side. The first two digits represent the week of manufacturing and the last two represent the year. Being aware of the age of your tires will ensure you can replace your tires before they become old and weak. 

Your safety is riding on your tires so stay alert and atop of the condition of your tires. Need an unexpected spare tire change, battery jumpstart, towing truck, or emergency fuel? AuXcar has you covered. A touch on this great app grants you access to a range of roadside assistance or breakdown assistance services. This extensive network of automotive specialists sits ready to keep you safer than ever before.

Stay safe and follow the law with a few simple steps