How to Inspect Car Tires?
2 Answers
Methods for inspecting car tires include: 1. Observe the tire hair - brand new original tires have numerous hair-like protrusions on the surface, which typically disappear after driving 5 to 10 kilometers; 2. Check the label - genuine tires come with either a colored Chinese label or a black Chinese label; 3. Lightly scratch to see if marks remain - authentic original tires have good elasticity. If you gently scratch the tire surface with a key or other object, the scratched area will quickly recover. Car tires are one of the crucial components of a vehicle, directly contacting the road surface. Together with the car suspension system, they help absorb shocks during driving, ensure good ride comfort and smooth operation, maintain excellent adhesion between the wheels and the road surface, and improve the vehicle's traction, braking, and off-road capability.
Tire maintenance really requires regular attention. I usually check them at least once a month. Squat down and first examine the tread depth by inserting a coin into the grooves—if the top of the national emblem is visible, it's time to replace them. Sidewall bulges are the most dangerous; my neighbor's car had a blowout last week because of that. Those small stones stuck along the wheel rim edges need to be picked out regularly—last time my car was making a humming noise, it turned out to be a sharp rock lodged there. Don’t forget about the inner wear on the rear tires; you’ll need to pull back the fender liner to see it clearly. Once during maintenance, I discovered the inner side had worn down to bald tires, something I’d never notice in daily use. If you’ve had a tire patched, it’s best to get a dynamic balance done, or else the steering wheel will shake like a massager at high speeds. And remember to check the production date—the four-digit DOT code. Tires older than six years are aging, even if the tread depth looks good.
