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| Tires, Selecting New |
| This DIY Basic shares tips on selecting tires. |
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If you've been driving on bad tires, you could be putting yourself and your family in harm's way. Tire wear really depends on a number of things including road conditions, driving style and how well you maintain them, so it's best to work with a trained professional who can help you determine if you need new tires -- and what kind of tires are best for your vehicle. You probably need new tires if -- - 2/32" or less of tread remains.
- the wear bar is visible.
- there's sudden vibration while driving.
- your tire is punctured, cut or snagged.
- there's gradual air loss.
- you have poor handling on wet or snow covered surfaces.
A service technician can use a tread-depth gauge (figure A) to see if your treads are worn, or you can do it easily by putting a penny upside-down into one of the tread's grooves. If part of Abe Lincoln's head is covered by the tread (figure B), the tire is fine. If you can see all of President Lincoln's head, it's time for new tires. The new tires you select should provide a balance of handling, stopping and comfort in many different conditions. Some factors to consider are -- - Flexibility for a smooth ride.
- Stiffness to handle heat build-up while high-speed driving.
- Traction. The softer the tire, the better the traction.
- Safety. Look for a heavily grooved tire for better traction in mud, snow and rain.
- Also consider payload for towing or hauling heavy loads.
- And when purchasing tires, look for durability. Harder tires last longer.
The tires that originally came with your vehicle were selected by the manufacturer and have a good balance of these factors. If you liked those tires, you may want the get the same type again. And finally, conduct a visual inspection at least once a month, checking for tread wear and proper tire pressure. Be sure to use a torque wrench or torque stick to tighten lug nuts to tire and vehicle manufacturer's guidelines. Over or under inflated tires can cause premature wear. Having good treads mean many miles of safe and enjoyable driving!
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