Lindsey Christiansen
Do you find yourself driving along wondering if your tire is going to blow out on you? Maybe you take your car in to the dealer every couple months and beg them to check your tires and if need be switch them. Although they insist your tires are good to go, you still have an uneasy feeling. Whether you drive a Ford or a Mercedes, there are some tell-tale signs that it’s time to swap out your tires. These four tips that will help you know when your tires should be changed and ease your mind when they don’t.
If you are sick and tired of taking your car in to get your tires checked, try this old trick that allows you to check your tread depth. Open the change department of your car and take out a penny, insert the penny head-down into the tread. Focus on Lincolns head; if Lincoln’s head remains visible, you don’t have enough tread. The tread on your Chevy, Chrysler, or Ford should never fall below 1/16 of an inch (1.6 millimeters) in depth.
Tire problems can also appear in the sidewall. If you step back from your tires and focus on the sidewall it’s easy to see small tracks and cuts. If there is a problem, you will likely be able to see it. If you notice any tearing, it could be a sign that your tires are developing a leak or that they are nearly ready to blow out.
Sometimes, rather than the inside of the tire, the outer surface of the tire begins to weaken; which can result in a bulge or a blister that extends from the tire itself. Focus on noticeable bulges and take your Honda or Ford in to the dealer as soon as possible to avoid a blowout.
You should expect vibration while you are driving, but too much vibration is almost always a sign that something is not quite right. If you’re an experienced driver and you find yourself focusing on the amount of vibration and feeling uncomfortable, something is probably wrong. The problem could be that your tires or unbalanced, misaligned, your shock absorbers are starting to fail, or that there is a problem with your tire. If you feel there is a problem in this area, take your Buick or your Ford into a dealer to prevent further problems.
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