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Is it Time for New Tires?

Getting your tires checked may feel like going to see a dentist: it is something we should do very often, but we put it off until we really “need” to. But tires are a critical component of driving safety. The contact patch of a tire, or where the tread makes contact with the road, affects the handling, steering, traction, stability, and braking.

According to Firestone, “You need to be aware of three things when deciding if you need new tires: tread wear, exposure to the elements and tire age.”

Tread Wear
Place a penny head-first into several tread grooves across the tire. If you always see the top of Lincoln’s head, your tread is shallow and worn. If this is the case, your tires need to be replaced. If part of Lincoln’s head is always covered by the tread, you have more than 2/32 of an inch of tread depth remaining. This means you will need new tires soon, and your traction will likely still be compromised in the rain or snow.

Exposure to the Elements
Exposure to heat and the sun’s ultraviolet rays may cause structural changes to your tires. These changes are not usually a concern in moderate climates.

Tire Age
How old are your tires? Regardless of tread wear, vehicle manufacturers generally recommend you replace your tires at six years. Most tire manufacturers recommend you replace your tires at 10 years.

About Spirit West Rapid Refinish

Spirit West Rapid Refinish, established in 2011, was formed to focus on providing quality service for customers who are paying out of pocket for automobile repairs and streamline the workflow volume. We take great pride with teamwork and our commitment to making sure our team receives training on the latest innovative state-of-the-art equipment and collision repair techniques. We are proud to say our team is family and we treat our customers like family too. Whether you need minor collision repair services, bumper repair or vehicle paint, give us a call today to see how we can restore your vehicle to its original factory finish.