Your tires are the only part of your vehicle that actually make contact with the road. For that reason, you need to make sure they’re always in excellent condition to ensure your safety and that of your passengers. Mabank, TX drivers may not know how to tell when it’s time to replace their Ford tires. Either bring your car to your Ford dealership and ask, or use these tips to tell for yourself.
There Are Signs of Weathering
As rubber gets old or consistently exposed to the elements, it becomes brittle and will eventually crack. Sometimes, you might even be able to see the cords of your tires through these cracks, which is even more of an indication that they need to be replaced. This is because the inner part of the tire is now exposed to the weather and road conditions, which will cause it to break down even more. Replace cracked tires as soon as possible.
A Section of the Tire Is Bulging
When air gets between the outer layers of a tire and the inner liner, it creates a visible bulge that looks like it could burst at any moment. Often, a bulge like this comes from hitting a pothole or curb too hard, but it can also occur due to a manufacturing defect. A bulge could, in fact, cause a tire blowout, which could be extremely dangerous if you’re driving at the time. This is one issue that needs immediate attention.
The Tread Is Worn
This is probably the most common reason drivers need to replace their tires. After a certain number of miles on the roads, the tread will have worn down to the point where it’s no longer effective in gripping the road. While a technician can check your tread depth using a specialized tool, you can check it yourself by using a penny.
If the head displayed on one side can’t be seen when you slip it between treads head first, your tire is still safe. However, if any part of the head is showing, your tread is worn enough to be a potential hazard on the road. Be sure to check your tread at various points on all four tires to make sure the tread hasn’t worn unevenly in some places, which is an indication that you may need an alignment.
It’s Been Six Years or Longer Since They’ve Been Replaced
You want to replace your tires every six years, at least, because rubber is a natural material and does break down over time. If you don’t know the date your tires were made, you can check the sidewalls for a stamp that tells you the week and year the tire was manufactured. If you can’t decipher the date on your tires, bring your car to your dealership for help.
Keeping your tires fresh is a vital component of car care. Contact Tri-County Ford in Mabank, TX to schedule your tire inspection today.
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