Replacing your tires is a necessary part of owning a vehicle. It is always important to listen to the car company’s policies on tire replacements, however, there are a few telltale signs you can catch to avoid any complications while on the road. Here are our top signs that it’s time to replace your car tires.
1. The tire’s tread is worn down
One of the most obvious signs for replacing tires is worn-down treads. “Tread” refers to the outside of the tire that makes direct contact with the road. The average new tread measures between 8 and 9 mm, with the legal minimum tread in Canada being 1.6 mm. Luckily, measuring the tread on your tires at home is very simple! Use a Canadian nickel and insert the coin with Queen Elizabeth’s crown facing downward. If you can see the top of the Queen’s crown, your tire is below 2/32″ and needs to be replaced.
2. You can see bubbles in the tire
Bubbles can form into the sides of your tires and are often due to short, high-impact interactions, such as hitting a pothole. Any bubbles mean you should be replacing the tires as soon as possible. Why? Because they represent air leaking out of the tires, creating a high-risk of them blowing up while you drive.
3. You can see cuts or cracks
Regardless of how much you use them, cuts or cracks will appear on your tires naturally as they degrade over time. In this situation, replacing the tires is a good idea, because the more cuts or cracks in the tires, the more likely they will rupture.
4. An item is inside the tire
Even if an item, such as a nail or rock, is not affecting the tire, you should be replacing the tire immediately if any foreign object appears to be inside.
5. The steering wheel is vibrating when you drive
And finally, if the steering wheel vibrates when you are driving, this is a sign that it’s time to replace your car tires. You can feel the steering wheel vibrate when the tire’s tread has worn down unevenly.
We hope these tips help you with replacing your tires and help keep you safe on the roads. If you have any questions about replacing tires and your car insurance policy, speak with a member of our isure team today!
