All car tires wear out eventually, and it’s better to be prepared than taken by surprise when your tires finally bite the bullet. If you drive for long on balding or damaged tires, you could experience a sudden blowout or skid. Always keep an eye out for the following symptoms of worn-out tires and have them replaced with new tires at your local Mazda dealership before they become a safety hazard. Let’s look at the ways you can determine if you need new tires before heading into your dealership today.
Damaged Tire Rubber
If your tires look damaged in any way, have them checked by a trusted technician. Large cuts or gashes can weaken tire rubber as can embedded objects of any size. If one of your tires develops a bulge, internal layers of rubber have ruptured and the tire will also have to go.
Cracks From Dry Rot
Dry rot is a type of decay in tire rubber that can result from age combined with exposure to UV rays, chemicals, and other harmful substances. Dry rot causes tire rubber to become brittle and inflexible while spreading cracks through the sidewalls and even onto the treads. A tire with dry rot may also fade and lose its color. You’ll need to replace any tire that seems to have dry rot before it blows out.
Diminished Tread Depths
While checking the air pressure in your tires, you can also measure the tread depths. If the central part of a tire has treads with 2/32 of an inch or less in depth, you’ll need to replace it. Treads shallower than this have inadequate gripping strength, especially on wet surfaces. The famous “Abe Test” is a good way to check this: put a penny with Abe’s head down into the tire tread. If you can see the top of his head, your tires need to be replaced.
More Vibrations Than Usual
When tires become worn, uneven, or damaged, you’ll feel the difference in the smoothness of your ride. The increased road friction will generate excessive vibrations and also change the quality of road noise if you open the windows to listen.
Tire Pressure Light Appears
Air pressure is particularly important in car tires, which must always be kept at the precise PSI recommended in the owner’s manual. If your car’s automatic tire pressure monitor keeps lighting up, warning you of improper inflation, you may have a problem. One of your tires might be releasing air from a hidden puncture or dented wheel rim.
Momentary Losses of Traction
Whenever you drive, you should always feel fully confident in the capacity of your tires to maintain firm traction. If you ever sense your tires losing their grip, even for a moment, have them checked by a technician. You may need to replace them.Have your tires repaired, rotated, or replaced today at Auffenberg Mazda of O’Fallon in Shiloh, IL. Our full-service dealership serves as a one-stop shop for all your automotive purchasing, financing, and servicing needs.
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