Find a penny, pick it up, and all the day you’ll have good luck. Pennies can do more than bring you good luck; they can also tell you when it’s time to buy new tires. Grab one out of your pocket and head to the garage. Stick the penny head-side up into your tire grooves to see how much of Abe is visible. If you can see his whole head, your tires are worn and it’s time to buy new ones. ER Auto Care explains the causes of tire wear and why it’s so important to replace them as soon as possible.
Why it’s So Important First
Control and safety are the number one reasons why you should never drive on bare tires. Bare tires cannot grip the road and you are at a higher risk of losing control of your vehicle, especially in inclement weather. Bare tires can also blow out and cause an accident. Finally, it’s illegal to drive on bare tires in most states, and you just might find yourself with a fix-it ticket if you do.
What Wears Down Tires?
Age is the number one reason why tires wear down. As with anything, tires have a lifespan and they are designed to only last for a certain amount of miles. Even if you haven’t driven to the mileage milestone for your set of tires, if they are six-to-ten years old, you should probably replace them anyway. They may look okay and have plenty of tread but heat and pressure over the years can damage them internally.
The elements are another thing that causes tire wear. Summer heat and the sun’s UV rays damage your tires’ structures. This is more of a concern in the hottest parts of the land, such as the Southwest, but extensive sun exposure can damage tires even in temperate climates. If you park your vehicle outside all the time, your tires may be getting more of a “sunburn” than they care to.
Finally, your commute can wear down your tires. If you drive a long commute or if you drive on dirt or rural roads, your tires will wear down more quickly than if you had a quick jaunt to and from work every day on smoothly-paved city streets. Think of your bare feet. Walking on a cool sidewalk does not damage the bottoms of them as much as walking on dirt.
ER Auto Care in Plain City, OH, would be happy to inspect your tires. We can balance and rotate them if they still have tread or replace them if they don’t. Call us today.
