Driving on bald tires is dangerous with a percentage of car accidents attributed to tire-related issues. Consider these vital tire safety tips.
The cost of owning a car is steep. Sedan owners pay more than 10 thousand dollars each year in maintenance and upkeep.
This puts regular maintenance out of reach for many people. But skimping on new tires isn’t the same as waiting too long to change your windshield wipers.
Tire safety can be a matter of life and death. Bald tires lead to many dangers for you and other drivers on the road.
How Often Should I Change My Tires?
Tires have a fairly long lifespan compared to how often they’re used. The standard life of a tire is 25,000 to 50,000 miles.
This range can vary further based on the type of car you own, but it’s best to stick to this range to be conservative. Driving defensively can help preserve the life span of your tires.
Heavy braking and driving reckless puts unneeded wear on tires causing them to need replacement sooner.
What is a Bald Tire?
The part of the tire that meets the road is called the tread. The tread wears down over time becoming flat instead of textured.
When the tread on your tire is mostly flat, your tire is considered bald.
Use the penny and quarter test to prevent bald tires. When you can insert a penny or quarter into the grooves of the tire and see the top of Lincoln or Washington’s head, it’s time to replace the tires.
A tire is at a point of no return once it is bald. The tread is the part of the tire that allows friction between the rubber and the road.
Tires with no treading left are extremely dangerous and lead to these common driving mishaps.
Hydroplaning
The worst time to have a bald tire is during bad weather. When heavy rain its, the water makes it slippery for bald tires on the road.
These conditions make it easy for drivers to hydroplane into other cars or off the road entirely. If you know your tires are in need of replacement, never drive in bad weather.
The same is true for winter weather when roads can get icy. Icy roads are difficult when you need new tires. Driving on bald tires provide no traction against slick surfaces.
Loss of Control
Your tires don’t respond to your steering the same when they’re bald. The tread can’t grip the road to offer you the same level of control.
Control over your car is the most important factor in tire safety. Having bald tires isn’t the time to slam on your brakes while in traffic, as it’ll likely lead to a collision.
Punctures
Bald tires are thin making them more prone to punctures than normal tires. This can mean getting a flat from substances that wouldn’t normally puncture the rubber.
Navigating Tire Safety
Tire safety isn’t rocket science. With such a long life span on a tire, you have plenty of time to plan for a new set as the tread wears off.
Check your tire pressure monthly to make sure each tire wears evenly. Tire pressure is one of the top factors in how your tires wear over time.
If you’ve recently had a traffic accident involving bald tires, please schedule a consultation today.
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