At what level of tire wear should tires be replaced?
2 Answers
Regularly check the tire wear indicator baseline on your vehicle's tires. When the tread wear on the outer part of the tire exceeds this replacement baseline, it indicates that the tire must be replaced. Tires should also be replaced when there is uneven wear on the tread or edges, or when there is bulging on the tire sidewall. The specific details are as follows: 1. Worn tires: Tires have tread wear indicator marks, which are slightly raised marks located at the bottom of the tread grooves with a height of 1.6 mm (the legal minimum groove depth). If the tread rubber blocks wear down to the same height as these raised marks, the tires should be replaced immediately, as continued driving is no longer safe. 2. Damaged tires: Hitting curbs, falling into potholes, or punctures from nails can severely damage tires. Damaged tires may be repairable, but only a professional repair shop can accurately determine whether a tire can be repaired or needs to be replaced. Generally, sidewall damage cannot be repaired, and for safety reasons, the tire must be replaced. 3. Aged tires: If you notice tread deformation or significant cracking, stop using these tires immediately and have them inspected by a professional repair shop to determine if they can continue to be used. 4. Bulging tires: Tire bulges are a major cause of blowouts, especially on highways, and are extremely dangerous. Tires with bulges should be replaced promptly.
Tire wear is actually a pretty important matter, and I have my own set of experiences. The most critical indicator is tread depth—once it drops below 1.6mm, it's time to replace the tires immediately. I use the coin test method: insert it into the tread, and if it completely covers the entire top of Lincoln's head, the depth is still sufficient; if the head is visible, it's time for a change. This is no small issue—shallow tread can cause skidding when braking on wet roads. I once nearly had an accident while driving in the rain because my tires were too worn. Additionally, regularly check for other tire issues like cracks or bulges, as these are also hazards. The average lifespan of regular tires is about 4-5 years, so always inspect them before long trips. Safety comes first—don’t skimp on costs. New tires give peace of mind and even improve fuel efficiency a bit.
