That Tire isn't worn out
What Happens to Performance When Tires Are Worn? Have you ever given it much thought. We know exactly how new tires perform, based on testing . But those results are based on best-case scenario and, of course, tires are brand-new for only a little while . So I'll ask you again .How do tires perform when they are worn down, and when should you replace them?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that once a tire reaches 4/32 nd of tread left the tire is more prone to accidents. That being said a recent study by the same administration showed that 26.2 % of crashes involved a tire with less than 1/16th of tread depth left .
Tire treads consist of carefully designed grooves, or channels, on the surface of the tire. They keep us safe by forcing water away from the tire on wet roads. This enables the tire to maintain a solid grip on the road even when the rain or snow is coming down hard. Treads also play an important role in making sure the car travels in the direction that we steer.
What makes a bald tire so dangerous?
Too much heat buildup. Driving creates friction between your tires and the road surface, and friction creates heat. Too much heat can cause a blowout, causing you to lose control of the car, especially at high speeds. Tires are made of materials that can withstand fairly high levels of heat. But once it reaches a certain limit, the tires become unsafe. The faster you drive, the more heat the tire must be able to withstand. That’s why having proper tread depth is so important – treads help cool the tire by allowing air to flow in between the grooves. Bald tires don’t have the grooves provided by treads, so the heat can easily build up to unsafe levels.
Increased risk of hydroplaning. Another side effect of bald tires, hydroplaning occurs when a layer of water gets between the tire and the surface of the road. When this occurs, the tire loses its ability to grip the road, causing the car to spin out of control. If you’ve ever hydroplaned while driving a car, you know that it can be very difficult to regain control. Modern tire tread patterns contain deep grooves that channel water away from the tire, which enables it to maintain a firm grip on the road in wet conditions. As the tread wears away over time, the grooves become shallower, making them less effective at directing water away from the tire. The shallower the grooves, the greater the risk of hydroplaning, even on roads that are only slightly wet. When tires are completely bald, hydroplaning in heavy rain conditions becomes highly likely.
Difficult handling in snow or ice. Wet roads aren’t the only safety problem with bald tires. Unless you have good snow tires , which have wider and deeper grooves than everyday tires, driving on a road covered with snow or ice can be a risky proposition. Many winter tires also come “sipes” – small, thin grooves or channels cut into the edges of the treads. These help improve traction and handling by providing more surface area to grip the road. If your snow tires don’t have sipes, take them to your tire shop so they can add the extra edges for you. Keep in mind that as your tread wears away, so do the sipes. Having both in good condition will minimize the dangers of spinning out on icy roads.
Sudden blowouts. This is possibly the biggest threat from driving on bald tires. In addition to improving handling in bad weather, treads also help reduce the chances of suffering a blowout while driving. Experiencing a blowout is dangerous at any speed; blowouts at high speeds can be fatal. Treads can’t prevent all punctures, but if you run over a nail or other hard, sharp object, they stand a better chance of resisting the blowout than bald tires. Few moments behind the wheel are more terrifying or dangerous than a sudden blowout at freeway speeds.
How do you know a tire is worn out?
When evaluating the amount of tread on your tires, “eyeballing” it isn’t good enough. For a proper evaluation, always use a tire tread gauge. They don’t cost much, can be bought at most service stations or auto parts stores and are easily stored in your glove compartment. They’re also simple to use, even if you don’t have any auto experience. Another technique involves inserting a penny into the tread with the “heads” side facing you. If you can see all of Lincoln’s head, your tread is too low and it’s time to get new tires.
Visible indicator bars also make it quicker and easier to judge the amount of wear on your tread, today’s tires are made with tread indicator bars. These flat rubber bars are built right into the tire, but you can’t see them when the tires are new and have plenty of tread. As the tread wears down over time, the bars gradually become visible. When you can clearly see them, it means the tire tread has reached unsafe levels.
Don't forget cracks in sidewall , bald tires aren’t the only danger sign to look for; cracks in the sidewall also pose a potential Tire sidewalls don’t wear away like tread, but they tend to dry out as the miles go by. This can lead to cracks or cuts that compromise the structural integrity of the tire. Very small cracks are common on older tires, and don’t pose much of a threat. Large cracks should not be ignored. Any time you spot one, head to your tire shop as soon as possible for a professional evaluation.
Make sure to rotate the tires every 5,000 miles just remember BE SAFE AND REPLACE..
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