Car tires are highly important components of a vehicle, absorbing shock on the road, supporting a vehicle’s weight, facilitating braking, maintaining traction, and more. No matter how durable they are, however, tires are unfortunately not immune to the effects of continual wear and tear. Exposure to the elements, aging, and sustained impact can all affect the quality of a vehicle’s tires over time. Driving with compromised tires can put a driver’s safety at risk, increasing their risk of an accident as a result of a blowout, hydroplaning, or reduced handling capabilities.
If you’re considering a career in the auto industry, recognizing the telltale signs that a vehicle’s tires need replacing will enhance your success in keeping drivers safe on the road. Read on to discover five signs that it’s time to replace a vehicle’s tires.
1. Those with Auto Service Technician Training Should Know to Check Tire Age
Given the many different factors that can affect the quality of tires over time, it’s difficult to put an exact expiration date on the life span of this car component. To be on the safe side, a vehicle’s tires should be replaced about every six years, despite the fact that tire manufacturers typically recommend replacing them within a ten-year window. As a professional with auto service technician training, it’s important to check the timestamp on a tire’s sidewall during any tire inspection process. This timestamp will tell you when the tire was manufactured, enabling you to see if it’s time to replace it.
2. The Tread Depth is Low
The tread depth of a tire is one of the best indications of its condition. Over time, a vehicle’s tires become worn down, compromising their ability to gain traction on the road. Especially in snowy or icy conditions, a vehicle with worn tires won’t be able to handle as well, putting drivers at risk of an accident. Using a tread depth gauge, check the tires to ensure that the tread depth is no less than 0.16 centimeters. If the reading is below this level, that means it’s time to replace the tire.
3. Tires Show Signs of Weathering
A vehicle’s tires are always exposed to the elements when driving. Hot temperatures, cold temperatures, ultraviolet rays, ice, snow, and water can all cause rubber tires to break down over time, resulting in weathering. After graduating from an auto service technician program, make sure to check for signs of weathering when inspecting a vehicle’s tires. Weathering can manifest as small cracks in a tire’s sidewall, and if these cracks are spotted, it’s important to replace the tires immediately.
4. The Tires Are Damaged
No matter the amount of miles on a tire, if it’s damaged, it needs to be replaced immediately. Tire damage includes punctures, holes, irregular wear, bulges, and indentations. Often, tire damage can happen as a result of minor accidents, such as hitting a curb. A damaged tire is much more likely to suffer a blowout, threatening a driver’s safety on the road. When conducting a tire inspection, examine the tires for any signs of damage to determine whether they need replacing.
5. The Tires Have Too Many Kilometres on Them
While there’s no precise number of kilometres to indicate it’s time for a replacement, pros in the automotive industry advise that a vehicle’s tires should be replaced about every 97,000 kilometres on average. The tires might appear to be in great condition, but the mileage may tell another story. During your career as a service technician, ensure that your tire inspection process is thorough by checking how much mileage a car’s tires have seen.
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