In case you see any signs of damage on the side of the tire or any other signs of wear, punctures or you hear strange noises while driving, do not hesitate to ask for the help of a professional to check if your vehicle's tires are safe to drive.
The tire can be repaired in some cases, but must be carefully checked by a vulcanization specialist before any repairs are made. It should be checked whether there is any damage to the construction (frame) or the inside of the tire. In order to accurately check the condition, it must be removed from the rim, and this is done only by a specialized vulcanizer. Here are five reasons to buy a new tire.
1) The tire is punctured
It often happens that you don't notice when a foreign body punctures a vehicle tire. Most often, it is a screw that pierces the tread when you walk over it. He knows how to go unnoticed for several days or even weeks, and the only symptom is that the tire loses a little bit of pressure. Namely, a thin layer of butyl on the inside of the tire prevents air from escaping in large quantities.
Inspect the tire all the way around the tread, including the sidewalls if you can. If you notice a foreign object stuck in the tire - do not remove it! Get to the vulcanizer as soon as possible, because taking that item out could instantly run out of air in your tire. It's a paradox, but that foreign object is actually a kind of plug that prevents air from leaking out of the tire.
2) The tire is worn out
By law, a tire should not have a smaller depth of the main longitudinal channels of the tread profile than 1,6 mm. On the tires of all renowned manufacturers, on the side of the tire, where the side part passes into the tread, there is a TWI (Tread Wear Indicator) mark. If you look more closely at the tread in that place, you will find small sills in the main channels. They are exactly 1,6 mm high compared to the bottom of the profile. When the tread equals that mark, the tire is worn out.
However, it is not advisable to wait for the tire to wear out that much, because even though you are clean before the law, you are not safe enough.
In case of heavy rains, which there are even during this spring, the tire will not be able to squeeze out enough water due to the shallower profile, so at some point you will end up swimming on the road. You should also know that the difference between the depth of the main channels of two tires on the same axle must not be more than five millimeters.
3) The tire is old
It is difficult to determine how long tires can be used, because it does not depend only on the date of manufacture. The lifespan can be affected by several factors: weather conditions, conditions of storage and use, load, speed, pressure, maintenance and the like. Each of these parameters can significantly change the expected life of the tire.
Basically all tires, including the spare, that were manufactured ten years ago or more should be replaced with new ones, even if the tread depth has not reached the minimum wear depth, or based on their visual condition, it seems that they can still be used.
You can see the production date of the tire in the DOT mark on its sidewall. Four digits in an elliptical or rectangular frame indicate the week and year of tire manufacture. If those four digits are 2216, it means that the tire was manufactured on the 22nd week of 2016.
4) The tire is damaged
Going over a curb, a pothole, or a blunt object can seriously damage the tire. A professional vulcanizer must carefully inspect any perforations, cuts, or distortions. Only he can tell you if the tire can be repaired. As a general rule, keep in mind that you should never drive with a damaged tire without consulting an expert.
5) The tire shows signs of improper wear
Uneven wear of the tread profile - which can only be seen in some places, in the middle or on the sides - is often a sign that the car has a problem with the geometry of the suspension system.
Also, it can be a consequence of improper air pressure in the tire. Consult a specialist if you notice even the slightest abnormality.
Change tires in pairs
If you have judged that your tires have done their job and decide to buy new ones, always change both tires on the same axle (or all four) because it is important that the tires on the same axle are identical.
Choose tires according to the dimensions indicated by the vehicle manufacturer, if you can find them in the vehicle manual or often on the door frame.
It is advisable to mount new tires on the rear axle to improve grip on that part, which is lighter than the front, regardless of whether it is a front- or rear-wheel drive vehicle. The loss of traction is more difficult to control when it occurs on the rear wheels because you cannot correct their trajectory with the steering wheel as you can the trajectory of the front wheels.
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