How to Determine the Criteria for Tire Replacement?
2 Answers
Determining the criteria for tire replacement involves checking the wear indicators, examining uneven wear, inspecting the tire sidewalls, and assessing the degree of tire aging. The details are as follows: 1. Check the wear indicators: There are small raised platforms in the tread grooves. When the tread wears down to these indicators, it means the rear tires should be replaced or retreaded. 2. Examine uneven wear: If any side of the tire wears down to the wear indicators, the tire needs to be replaced. 3. Inspect the tire sidewalls: If there are bulges or cracks on the tire sidewalls, it is recommended to replace the tire immediately. 4. Assess the degree of tire aging: If there are numerous small cracks at the bottom of the tread grooves or on the tire edges that are almost damaging the tire body, the tire also needs to be replaced.
I've been driving for over 30 years and know how crucial tire safety is. There are three main factors to consider when deciding whether to replace tires: wear, cracks, and age. The most critical check for wear is tread depth. I use a dime coin to test it – if the tread pattern is still visible above the coin, it's still usable. But if it's flush or shallower, with depth below 1.6mm, the tire will have poor water drainage in rain and become slippery, so replacement is urgent. Never ignore cracks, especially large ones or bulges on sidewalls or grooves, as they're precursors to blowout risks. Regarding age, when tires age, the rubber hardens and fails. Even with minimal wear, tires over 5-6 years old become dangerous and need replacement. Don't forget to check tire pressure before each drive – insufficient pressure causes uneven wear and premature failure. Safety is no trivial matter; don't risk accidents to save a few bucks. Remember, regular checks with simple tools or professionals bring peace of mind.
