Having safe tires is not an element of your car you should look past. Not sure what to look for from your tires? 416 Wheels and Tires is happy to offer a little insight before booking your next appointment with us!
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Check the tread
Tire tread is what allows your tires to grip the road in unstable conditions. Wet roads are slippery and improper tread can send you and your car skidding across the streets. To check your tire tread, you can use a toonie (how Canadian!) place the toonie sideways in the tire groove. If you can see the silver, your tires are getting too worn out and need to be replaced soon for it to remain safe to drive.
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Look for bulging
You should not see any bulging in your tires. Bulging is a sign of a broken side wall. If left unaddressed, your tire bulge could very well transform into a blown-out tire fiasco.
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Check the tire pressure
Tires need to be inflated to the correct pressure while driving. Over-inflated tires are a hazard because the air may expand in warm road conditions and could wind up bursting your tire. Underinflated tires ruin the inner tire, which can weaken the tire strength and degrade your quality. Quickly check your tire inflation by using a tire pressure checker available at any gas station. Your vehicle may also have a tire pressure sensing monitor (TPSM). This will display a message on board if your tire pressure is too low or too high.
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Tire pressure monitoring system
While having a TPMS can come in handy, don’t entirely rely on the technology for your tire pressure. It would be best to occasionally inspect your tires by hand to make sure that your TPMS is accurate. TPMS occasionally needs their batteries replaced. If it has a low battery, they consistently display a “low tire pressure” signal on the dash. If your tire pressure is acceptable, but your TPMS is still on, take the car to a mechanic to replace the battery.
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Check for leaks
Check your tires for leaks. If you are constantly checking and refilling your tires, they may have a small air leak. If not corrected, even slow leaks can lead to major issues. Check for leaky tires by wetting the tread and observing for air bubbles breaking through. If you see any bubbles after wetting the tire, you have a slow leak and should visit a shop for a repair!
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Do your tires match?
Quickly check to make sure all your tires match. It is much safer to have a matching set of tires than mix-matched ones. Some tread wears out faster than others. If each tire is different, you could be running the risk of wearing out your tires at different times.
If you notice any of the following seem out of the ordinary, it will be best to stop by 416 Wheels and Tires to let us professionally evaluate your tires. Call or stop by the shop to book your next visit.