Checking your tires not only ensures that you stay safe in your vehicle but can also tell you when something is wrong with the alignment or if part of your vehicle’s suspension is failing. You can tell where to start looking by checking the tread wear. If you notice that the tread is wearing on one side or the other, contact Accelerate Auto Repair to have one of our ASE Certified technicians locate the problem.
How Often Do Tires Need Replacing?
Knowing when to replace your vehicle’s tires is important for safety and performance. Typically, tires last between 25,000 to 50,000 miles, but this can vary based on driving style and road conditions. Keep an eye out for signs like uneven tread wear, cracks, or bulges, and consider the age and tread depth of your tires.
Checking Tire Tread Wear
If the tire tread is wearing evenly, you have the proper amount of air in the tires, they are properly aligned, and your vehicle’s suspension – the part that affects tire wear – is in good condition. You can check your own tires with a penny or a quarter. Stick either coin between the treads with the president’s head facing you and pointing straight down.
If you are using a penny and the tread touches the top of Lincoln’s head, you have 2/32-inch left on the tread, and it’s time to replace the tires. This is the least safe amount of tread you can have on the tires. If you are using quarter, position it the same way. If the tread is touching the top of Washington’s head, you have 4/32-inch left on the tread, and it’s time to make an appointment with Accelerate Auto Repair to replace the tires soon.
Why is Tire Rotation Important?
Tire rotation is crucial for extending the lifespan of your tires and ensuring even wear. By regularly rotating your tires, you distribute the wear more evenly across all four tires, which helps maintain consistent traction, handling, and performance. Tire rotation also contributes to a smoother ride and reduces the likelihood of premature tire replacement, ultimately saving you money in the long run.
Uneven Tire Tread Wear and What it Means
If your vehicle’s tires are not wearing evenly, you can solve two of the problems yourself. The others will need an auto technician.
- Tires are wearing in the center only. This usually means that the air pressure in the tires is too high. Check the air pressure rating on the side of the tire. If your vehicle’s tires call for 34 p.s.i., the tires should have about 32 p.s.i. in them since air expands when it gets hot from the road friction.
- The tires are wearing evenly on the outside edges. This usually means the tire pressure is too low. Check the air pressure rating on the side of the tire and adjust it accordingly. Keep the pressure two to three pounds lower than the recommended pressure so that the tires’ air pressure will be correct once they get hot.
- The tires are wearing on one side or the other only. You could have an alignment issue, or part of the suspension could have failed. Bring your vehicle to Accelerate Auto Repair as soon as possible for an alignment or repairs.
Depending on the system you choose, the Holley EFI systems support from 350 horsepower up to 1500 horsepower.
Comprehensive Tire Services
At Accelerate Auto Repair, we offer a range of tire services to keep your vehicle running smoothly and safely. Our ASE Certified technicians specialize in:
- Tire replacement, ensuring you have the right tires for your vehicle and driving conditions
- Tire balancing to evenly distribute weight and prevent uneven wear
- Tire rotation, helping extend tire life by promoting even tread wear
- Wheel alignment, ensuring your vehicle’s wheels are properly aligned, improving handling and prolonging tire life
Get Your Tires Serviced When They Start to Shake
If you allow the problem to persist, the worn part of the tire that is wearing faster than the rest of the tire will eventually become too thin, and you’ll end up with a blowout. Uneven wear could also cause a tire to separate.
If you can feel tire-shake in the steering wheel at low speeds – usually 5 to 10 miles per hour – you might have a separated belt in a tire. If you feel tire-shake around 60 to 70 miles per hour, the tires most likely need to be balanced. While tire shake could mean other things, these are the two most common problems.
If you notice a problem with your tires or the tread is getting too low, contact Accelerate Auto Repair at (469) 501-5115 for an appointment to replace the tires.
