| Many people ask this question and the | | | | issue, Many people do not realize that |
| answer is not as simple as one may | | | | once the winter tires get past the 50% |
| think. Replacing your tires according to | | | | or so life they are no longer considered |
| Government ratings is when your tires | | | | snow tires. The tread has worn down to |
| have worn down to the wear indicators. | | | | far and the traction is not there. It |
| What are tire wear indicators you ask? | | | | depends where you live on rather you can |
| Tire wear indicators are small little | | | | still use them or not. I know some |
| bumps in between the tread of the tire | | | | people that wear the remaining tread out |
| used to as a indicator of tire life. | | | | during the summer. Keep in mind that The |
| However there is more involved then just | | | | Snow tire compound is much different so |
| wear indicators. If you hardly drive | | | | snow tires wear quickly in the summer |
| your vehicle an issue you may want to | | | | time. |
| check for is tire dry rot. This is when | | | | When going on a trip another thing you |
| a tire dries out an begins to crack do | | | | should check for is any punctures or |
| to age or not being used. We see this | | | | holes. Remember a nail can be in your |
| many times in trailers. When inspecting | | | | tire and it may not leak. This can cause |
| your tires look for cracks in the tires. | | | | you trouble down the road. Many times |
| A rule of thumb is if you can stick the | | | | nails in tires do not leak right away |
| head of a dime in any crack then the | | | | but after driving for some time they |
| tires are no good. Another thing to look | | | | work into the tire more or the nail hole |
| for is irregular tire wear. Irregular | | | | gets bigger. It is best to have them |
| tire wear is usually high spots and low | | | | fixed when you spot them. When it comes |
| spots on the tires. This is most often | | | | to nails as long as they are small |
| caused by the vehicle being out of | | | | enough tire plugs are fine, when it |
| alignment. It is always good to have | | | | comes to bigger nails an internal tire |
| your alignment checked at least once a | | | | patch is often needed. Remember never |
| year. If you live in rougher terrain | | | | let anyone patch or plug a tire |
| where there are pot holes etc. you may | | | | sidewall, this is completely unsafe and |
| want to do it more often. When it comes | | | | should never be done. |
| to alignment many people ask can I keep | | | | In closing I want to say take the time |
| running the tires after I have my car | | | | every couple of weeks or definitely |
| aligned. The answer is yes as long as | | | | before a trip to inspect your tires. You |
| the tires have not been worn down to the | | | | can also use a spray bottle mixed with |
| tire wear indicators, however be advised | | | | dish soap and water to spray down your |
| sometimes once you get an alignment your | | | | tires to look for leaks, while your are |
| car may hum or ride rough do to the | | | | at it spray your valve stem as well. |
| wear, it will be up to you if you can | | | | Look for leaks around the stem as well |
| deal with it or not. | | | | is spray the core to make sure that is |
| Snow tires or Winter tires are another | | | | not leaking. Have a safe drive. |