When it comes to replacing tires on your vehicle, there's no real way to know when to replace them without examining them. As every set of tires on every vehicle performs differently depending on your unique driving circumstances. Having said that, wow often should you expect to change them? How should they be examined? Can I do it myself? These are some of the questions we will attempt to answer in this post. To learn more about the important role that tires play on your vehicle, read on. If you suspect you need new tires and are looking for advice, contact us.

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How Often Should Tires Be Replaced?

There are a number of factors that affect the longevity of the tires on your vehicle. These include the quality and manufacture of the tire, your personal driving style, the climate that you live in, the care that you show your tires, and the road conditions you are driving on. Ultimately you are the only person who can decide whether it is worth repairing or replacing your tires. Numerous factors come into play, one of them being how long you intend to keep the vehicle. Obviously, if the tires are no longer safe and roadworthy, they should be replaced immediately.

Anticipated Lifespan

All tires come with a manufacturers anticipated lifespan. This will indicate the number of kilometers a tire can be expected to last under average wear. If, for example, your tires are rated for 60,000 kilometers, you can expect that you will need to be examining them closely as that mark approaches. However, if you are an aggressive driver, you can expect to replace them earlier than that.

Tread Wear Bars

Another way to determine if your tires are reaching the end of their life is to examine the tread wear. Tires have "tread wear bars" that appear as bridges across your tire's channels and grooves as a warning that their useful life is over. Searching the internet for new tires and comparison shopping across numerous tire outlets is a good way to save on tire wear (and gas) while you shop!

Cracks In The Wall

Cracks in the wall of the tire are a sure sign that you should change your tires as soon as possible in order to avoid a possible life-threatening blow-out on the highway. Cracks can be caused by poor alignment, so make sure that your alignment is checked every time the tires are rotated.

Bulges In The Sidewall

Driving over a pothole, hitting a curb or driving with low tire pressure can damage the internal rigid structure of the tire and allow the air to escape, causing a bulge in the sidewall. It is dangerous to drive the vehicle with tires in this condition. Take the vehicle to a professional auto repair facility immediately.

Consistently Low Air Pressure

If you find that you are constantly losing tire air pressure, you probably have a leak either in the tire. It may be that a minor repair can fix the leak. It could also be that your tires have passed their useful life and degraded. Your tire professional can check to determine what the issue is. To keep track of your tire's air level, use a tire pressure gauge to check the psi (pounds per square inch). You can buy a tire pressure gauge inexpensively from most large department stores or an auto parts store. If you suspect that you may have a slow leak, you can use soapy water to check the suspicious area. Simply rub on the soapy water and watch for bubbles.

How To Maintain Your Tires

Ensure that your tires are properly inflated at all times. Make a habit of checking tire pressure regularly to detect leaks. Have your tires rotated at the recommended intervals; tires should be rotated about every 6 months or every 10,000 km. Some recommend rotating your tires at every oil change. This prevents uneven tread wear.

Why Hansma Automotive?

We care about you and your car and believe in honesty, reliability, and exceptional service. We have been in existence since 1987 and are proud to have established a trustworthy reputation over the years. You can find us at 88 Shoemaker Street in Kitchener, Ontario.