How to tell if tires need to be replaced?
3 Answers
Methods to determine if tires need replacement include: 1. Visible cracks or signs of aging on the tire; 2. Tire wear has reached or fallen below the minimum tread wear indicator; 3. Localized bulging on the tire, which may cause uneven force distribution and lead to blowouts; 4. Cracks appearing on the tire sidewall; 5. Excessive repairs compromising the tire's structural integrity for road use. Tire lifespan is influenced by various factors such as driving habits, road conditions, vehicle load, inflation pressure, maintenance records, speed, and environmental conditions. Besides regular inspections and maintaining proper inflation pressure, it's advisable to conduct thorough checks once tires have been in use for five years. Tires generally consist of three parts: the outer tire, inner tube, and flap. The inner layer features an airtight rubber layer, contributing to the trend of lightweight tire development. The outer tire is mainly composed of the carcass, tread, sidewall, and bead.
As a veteran driver with 15 years of experience, my down-to-earth method is to use a coin to check tire wear. Insert a 1-yuan coin into the tread groove—if the Great Wall pattern on the back is fully visible, it means the tread is nearly worn out, increasing braking distance by 2-3 meters in the rain. Never ignore sidewall bulges; my colleague once delayed replacing a bulging tire, which later burst on the highway. Another detail: check if the tire surface has crumbly, flaky rubber resembling dried breadcrumbs—such aged tires have terrible wet traction. During car washes, remember to pick out stones wedged in grooves, as large debris affects drainage. Before replacing tires, don’t hesitate to run fingers over the entire surface—hairline cracks, even fine as wrinkles, warrant replacement.
I manage the tires for both cars in my household, so here's some practical advice to share. A simple trick: crouch down and check the tire wear indicators. If those little raised rubber blocks near the triangle symbols are flush with the tread, it's definitely time to replace them. You can also use a key – insert it into the grooves; if more than one-third of the key's teeth are exposed, there's risk. Pay special attention to the tire sidewalls. Cracks there are dangerous, especially horizontal ones that look like peeling wall paint. Once I found a nail in my tire that wasn't leaking, but the repair shop said side punctures can't be patched and require replacement. Be extra cautious with tires over five years old as the rubber becomes brittle – I keep a tire age tracker in my garage for this. Also, watch for abnormal wear patterns like wavy edges, which indicate alignment issues; even after fixing, it's best to replace such tires.
