At what position of tread wear indicator should tires be replaced?
3 Answers
Tires have tread wear indicator marks, which are slightly raised indicators located at the bottom of the tread grooves with a height of 1.6 millimeters. When the tread wears down to 1.6mm, the tires must be replaced. Otherwise, it can easily lead to overheating and blowouts during normal driving, or reduced drainage capacity in rainy conditions due to insufficient tread depth, causing vehicle skidding and loss of control. Here are some tire maintenance tips: 1. Regularly check tire pressure: Inflate underinflated tires promptly to maintain consistent tire pressure. Otherwise, it can cause rapid wear of low-pressure tires, increase driving resistance, raise fuel consumption, and lead to issues like directional deviation. 2. Avoid hitting obstacles: When driving at high speeds, hitting obstacles such as potholes can cause severe compression deformation between the obstacle and the tire near the rim flange. This may damage the tire's inner fabric cords, leading to air leakage and the formation of bulges. In severe cases, it can cause sidewall rupture and sudden tire deflation. 3. Perform regular wheel alignment checks and dynamic balancing tests: Proper wheel alignment ensures normal vehicle handling and improves tire performance. Poor wheel alignment can result in irregular tread wear and shorten tire lifespan.
I remember last year during the rainy season when I drove a long distance, I noticed the tread on my car's tires was almost worn flat. Upon checking, the safety indicators were already exposed, which gave me quite a scare. Actually, the tire safety indicators are small raised blocks embedded in the tread grooves. When the tread wears down to the level of these blocks after prolonged driving, it's absolutely time to replace the tires—no delays allowed. Otherwise, braking in the rain can become dangerously slippery. A friend of mine once scraped against a guardrail due to a similar situation, costing over a thousand in repairs. Safety first, right? Now I've developed the habit of using my phone's flashlight to check the tire tread every month—it's free, simple, and gives peace of mind. If the tread is close to the indicators, I immediately head to a professional shop for new tires. It's not worth skimping on such a small expense.
Over the years of driving, safety has always been my top priority, and tire maintenance is not something to overlook. When the tread wear indicators become flush with the tire surface, the grip plummets to its lowest, making it hard to brake and increasing the risk of a blowout—it's practically playing with your life on the highway. I once encountered a dangerous mountain road, and it was only thanks to my newly replaced tires that I managed to stay steady. Don't wait until your tires are completely worn out to replace them; if you feel the tread becoming smooth or uneven when you check them monthly, be alert. Remember to buy durable tires with deep tread patterns for peace of mind and efficiency. By the way, check the tire pressure regularly to avoid uneven wear and accelerated damage. Also, try to avoid turning the steering wheel while stationary when parking to extend tire life. Safety is always the golden rule!
