Tires that are worn or too old can cause a serious safety hazard. This is why replacing your tires at regular intervals is very important to the safety and performance of your vehicle. Several factors go in to how long your tires will last such as your driving conditions, driving habits, climate, as well as the kind of tires you use and your vehicle. Because all of these factors are going to be different for every driver, there is no set schedule of when you should replace your tires. Following some simple guidelines will help you determine when you need new tires, and will help maintain the safety of your vehicle.

First, you will want to know a little bit about the tires you are using. Many all season or all weather tires are rated for fluctuations of heat and cold and have specific tread and rubber that can help the tires maneuver in most conditions. However, tires that are specifically for winter driving can wear out much faster if used in warmer conditions, and tires that are not rated for the cold can become harder and wear unevenly when exposed to the elements. Tires rated for heavy duty driving will hold up better than generic tires when hauling loads or driving in rough conditions like road construction. These are just some of the reasons that finding the right tire for your driving needs is a step at extending the life of your tires, and keeping them from wearing out prematurely.

Next, knowing how to check the tread will tell you how much life your tires have left in them. Typically, it is suggested to use the “Lincoln Penny Head” test. Using a Lincoln Penny, place Lincoln’s head down into the tread. If you can see the top of his head, your tread is too low, and your tires need to be replaced. However, this is not the only way to check your tread. All tires also have ‘tread bars’, these bars will wear down over time, and when they become flush with the tire, your tires need to be replaced. Other tools to check can be kept in the glove compartment of your vehicle, like a tread depth gauge, that will measure your tread depth exactly, and you can reference this measurement with the manufacturer’s specifications for replacement.

Tread helps keep your vehicle gripping the road, and provides control and safety in hazardous road conditions like rain and gravel. Keep an eye on how your tread is wearing down, if the outer walls of your tires are looking ‘bald’ (the tread has almost completely worn away) but you still have high tread on the inside of the tires, this is a sign that you need a tire rotation. Tire rotation is switching the tires around on the vehicle so the tread wears evenly, and this will extend the life of your tires. Your mechanic will let you know the condition of the tires during a rotation, and can give you an estimate on when you will possibly need to replace them.

Alternatively, for vehicles that do not have any extremes in weather or driving conditions, a good tip is to replace the tires every 5-6 years to prevent any hazardous wear. Tires do wear out over time; so if you are using older tires on your vehicle, check with your mechanic about the possibility of replacing them. Typically, you will want to replace all four tires at once for the best overall safety and life of the tires. Check with your friendly mechanic today about your options for rotation or replacing your tires, as there are many tire options for each driver’s unique needs.

Rick Benson is an Auto Industry Blogger for MyTireDealers.com. MyTireDealers.com the best tires St.Louis, and is great place to shop tires in st.louis and across the mid-west.

Rick Benson is an Auto Industry Blogger for http://MyTireDealers.com. http://MyTireDealers.com the best tires St.Louis, and is a trusted tire dealer across the mid-west.

Author Bio: Rick Benson is an Auto Industry Blogger for MyTireDealers.com. MyTireDealers.com the best tires St.Louis, and is great place to shop tires in st.louis and across the mid-west.

Category: Automotive
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