When Should I Change My Tires?

If you’re a driver in Salisbury, Kannapolis, Lexington, or Mooresville and you want to know when you should change your tires, our team of experts here at Cloninger Ford would like to lend you a hand. We’ve compiled the following in order to inform you about how long tires last, the ideal driving behavior for long-lasting tires, warning signs of aging tires, and the consequences that result when excessive wear and tear go unchecked. Read on to learn more.

Schedule Service

How Long Tires Last

Generally speaking, tires are able to last for five to ten years. Exactly how many years you’re able to get out of your tires will depend largely on climate, road conditions, the quality of the tires themselves, and your driving behavior. Of these, driving behavior is the one that you have the most control over. To get the most out of your tires, you’ll want to avoid a lot of speeding and making sudden stops.

Warning Signs that Your Tires Need to be Changed

It’s always a good idea to perform regular inspections of your tires whenever you get a chance. Here are the kinds of things you’ll be looking for when you do:

• Uneven wear and tear. If you’re seeing spots on your tires that are more worn down than others, this could be a good clue that it’s time to have them rotated. Doing this promotes a longer lifespan for your tires as it helps to spread the wear and tear more evenly across their surfaces.
• Swelling, cracking, or separating. In the event that you see any swelling, cracking, or separating on your tires, have them replaced immediately.
• Air pressure. Air pressure is an important factor. It affects a tire’s performance and longevity. For instance, if there’s too much air in a tire, it will exhibit more wear in the middle of the tread. If there’s not enough air, the tire will wear down more on the outside edges. Try to check your tires’ air pressure once a month.   

Driving on Worn Tires

See below for a few of the things that can result from driving too long on tires that are exhibiting the above warning signs:

• Weak tires. When tires get worn down too far, it’s much more likely that they fall victim to perforations from sharp objects on the road. 
• Reduced Control. Worn treads translate to less traction. This can make the vehicle more susceptible to things like hydroplaning.  
• Overheating. Tread helps to keep the rest of the tire’s temperature down by storing cool air. With less tread comes less cool air. An overheated tire can result in a blowout.

Be Sure to Check Your Tires on a Regular Basis

Whether you’re currently nearing the end of your tires’ lifespans, you’ve noticed one or more of the above warning signs, our you’d simply like to set up your next tire rotation, our team here at Cloninger Ford will be happy to have a look.

If you’re in Salisbury, Kannapolis, Lexington, or Mooresville, contact our service department today to schedule an appointment.