Are you confused about when to change car tires? The performance of your car tires is important for vehicle safety, performance and efficiency. N. H. T. S. A. estimates that about 200 deaths occur annually due to inadequate tire performance. Most tires are designed to function consistently throughout their useful life. However, in the end, the quality of the tires will decrease, especially with regard to traction (towing) and braking. This article provides some tips to help you decide whether or not your tires should be replaced, and prevent unnecessary wastage.
Step
Step 1. Understand that the main function of tire grooves is to divert water from under the tires and increase traction and avoid hydroplaning on wet roads
A car tire that has a moderate 1.6 mm groove can be considered obsolete and no longer safe to use.
Step 2. Look at the flow pattern
All tires sold in Indonesia have what are called “tread wear bars”. between the grooves, or extending all around the tire. Since the tires will wear out, these blades will be "bald" (flat) with the tire grooves. If so, it's time to replace the tires.
Step 3. Check the tire tread using the "coin test"
If you have an American 1-cent coin, try placing it upside down in the center-most groove of the tire (the thickest part), with the Abraham Lincoln side facing you.
- If you can see the top of the Lincoln's head or the copper on it, replace your tires immediately.
- If some of the top of Lincoln's hair is still visible, it's a good idea to have the tires checked by a repair shop.
- If you can't see the top of Lincoln's hair (about the depth of the groove reaching Lincoln's forehead), your tires don't need replacing.
Step 4. Use a groove depth gauge
You can use a special tool to measure the tire tread depth. If you don't have one, you can buy it at an affordable price at an automotive store. This tool is also easy to use.
- You can also find a tire tread depth gauge that can be downloaded from the internet.
- Otherwise, it might be easier to visit a regular repair shop and have your favorite mechanic check your tires. If you know each other well, maybe this inspection fee will be free.
Step 5. Know the legal requirements of tire grooves
Worn tires must not only be replaced for safety reasons, but also for legal reasons. In Indonesia, car tires should not be used if the depth is less than 1 mm. IN the UK, the allowable tread depth is 1.6 millimeters along the center of the tread of the entire tire.
Step 6. Monitor for odd tire tread wear
This can indicate a misalignment of the tires, the need to rotate the tires, or both. The car needs to be taken to a repair shop if the tire grooves are worn out evenly.
- If the uneven wear on the tires is extreme enough, or if the tires wear out faster than expected, have a mechanic check the suspension and correct them as needed before changing the tires. Tires that are misaligned or have worn out suspension can shorten tire life drastically.
- We recommend that you rotate the two front tires with the two rear tires. Move both front tires to the rear, and vice versa.
Step 7. Check for abnormal bulges or “bubbles” on the side of the tire
A bulge on the side of the tire indicates a damaged or cracked internal wheel frame that allows air pressure to reach the flexible outer layer of the tire. This damage can occur as a result of driving through large potholes or pavement, or with low pressure tires. It is very dangerous to drive with tires like this. The structural integrity of the tire has been greatly reduced so that the chance of a tire exploding suddenly increases and causes a serious accident. Tires with this condition should be replaced immediately, even though the grooves are still good.
Step 8. Change car tires every 6 years
If in doubt, NHTSA's recommended minimum replacement time is 6 years regardless of usage, with a maximum of 10 years for tires. Therefore, be careful when car tires have started to enter the age of more than 6 years.
Step 9. Watch for vibrations on the steering wheel
If the tire wear is uneven, you may feel a vibration on the steering wheel while driving. Your tires may need to be rebalanced. If the vibration does not stop, the tire may be damaged.
Vibration can also be caused by a condition known as "cupped tire" which means the tire has the appearance of a cup or shell trail around it. This occurs when the tires are not rotated regularly
Step 10. Check for dry rot
If you see small crusts around the tires, it means that the rubber is not good enough. Tires that have dry rot will separate from their steel belts and damage the exterior of the car.
Tips
- Keep your car tire pressure good.
- Tire life is marked from the date of manufacture, not sale. Car tires also wear out as long as they are stored in the warehouse.
- Test all tires and replace them at the same time, if possible. The safety, performance and efficiency of mismatched tires are not as good as those of well-fit tires.
- On 4-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive cars, we recommend replacing all four tires if the user manual recommends it. Differences in tire diameter, even as a result of different tread conditions, can permanently damage the tire differential.
- Treadwear grade (tread wear rating) is an indicator of the tire's relative wear rate. The higher the treadwear number, the longer the tire grooves should last.
- Tires don't wear evenly so be sure to insert a coin at some point from the outside into your tire. Car tires usually wear out on the inside, but tires with too much pressure will wear out more in the middle.
- Tires wear out faster in warmer climates.
- If you see uneven wear on the front tires, chances are the front ends are not straight. You can check and rotate the tires backwards, if possible (some vehicles have different sizes of front and rear tires). The tires on the back should be fine, and the uneven tires were moved to the back so they fixed themselves.
- You can use 25 US cents instead of 1 US cents; just use Washington's head as a benchmark instead of Lincoln's head.
- It is recommended that you rotate the front wheels with the rear wheels, especially on two-wheel drive vehicles.
Warning
- Tires should never rub against the tire housing (fender) or other parts of the car. If the new tires rub while turning or over bumps, it means that your tires do not fit the vehicle. Fix this problem before your tires burst and crash.
- If you see wire in the grooves or wear on the sides of the tires, there is no need to test the depth of the grooves again; the tires should be replaced immediately. Connected wires are usually rare in the grooves, but if they are, it means the tires need to be replaced right away. Otherwise, the tires risk exploding during the ride.
- The risk of hydroplaning increases as the tires wear out, even if the tires have not worn out completely. Tires with 50% life can hydroplane under conditions that would otherwise be safe for tires with 90% life.
- Be careful when buying tires to get the right size and type for the vehicle and its rims. You may have to buy larger rims if you switch to low-profile tires so the outside circumference doesn't change. Incorrect tire size or mismatched grooves will activate a low tire pressure warning, if the vehicle is equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
- Be careful when rotating tires, and especially when moving tires to different rims. Many modern tires have a specific rotation direction and associated rotation method. Contact the tire manufacturer or dealer for more information. However, some sports cars have different front and rear wheel sizes so they cannot be rotated. Make sure all your tires are the same size.
