Before you adventure this summer, make sure your tires are fit for the job. Wear and uneven tread can not only put unnecessary stress on your tires themselves, but can actually make driving dangerous. If a tire blows, you can easily lose control of your car. Goodbye vacation! But all these things can be avoided with a little know-how and dedication. Car Doctors Auto Repair offers some tips that you can use to gauge tire wear.
Check Your Tread-Depth With A Coin
This first one is the easiest, but the least accurate. Grab a penny or quarter and head straight to your car. Situate the coin’s head-side towards you, and push it between the tread rows. If some of the president’s head is covered, then you’re good. If it isn’t, it means that you have some serious wear on your tires, and you may need new ones. Doing this once every six months is a good idea.
Check Your Tread-Depth With A Tread Gauge
Your local auto parts store will offer tread gauges that you can use to more accurately assess the health of your tire. It’s as simple as inserting the gauge between the tread-rows and recording the readings. If your tread-depth is less than 2/32 of an inch, you need new tires!
Check Tread for Wear and Tear
Finally, it’s important to give your tires a broad looking-over to assess the wear on them. Fluctuations in tire pressure can cause wear on different parts of the tire. The important thing to look for is unevenness. Look to see whether your tires are worn on the inside or outside, or if there is feathering along the edges. Luckily, you may just need a rotation to address these issues, rather than a whole new set of tires.
Car Doctors Auto Repair in Athens, GA is standing by to assist you with all of your tire needs, and much more. Whether it’s maintenance, part replacement, or complete overhauls, we have the knowledge and the tools to get you back on the road fast. Give us a call to schedule an appointment.
