When Should Tires Be Replaced?
2 Answers
Tire replacement should be based on the following five criteria: 1. Check if the wear has reached the marked limit. During the production process, tires are designed with wear indicators. One is located in the tread grooves, spaced at intervals; the other is on the sidewall edge, marked by a small triangle. When the wear reaches these indicators, the tire must be replaced. 2. Replace immediately if the sidewall shows bulges. From the structural diagram, it's clear that tires are not just rubber; their inner layers are more complex than an Oreo. The weakest part is the sidewall. If a bulge appears, it indicates that the internal steel wires have broken or deformed. 3. Nails in the sidewall. The probability of a nail piercing the sidewall is very low unless done intentionally. Whether replacement is needed depends on the nail's location relative to the wear indicator (refer to Figure 1 for the sidewall wear indicator). If the nail is above the wear indicator, a patch can be applied. If it's below, tire replacement is recommended. 4. More than three patches on the tread. Occasional nails can be patched without issues—even three patches might be manageable. However, if there are more than three patches, especially if two are close together, the risk of a blowout increases during high-speed driving due to elevated tire temperatures. 5. Tread aging. Aging treads show fine cracks, which result from prolonged storage or excessive sun exposure. If cracks appear on the tread, replace the tire as soon as possible, and avoid high-speed driving.
As a family driver with children, I always prioritize tire safety. Car tires are the direct components in contact with the road. When you see the tread wear below the 1.6mm indicator mark, they must be replaced immediately; you can use the coin test—if the coin's head is buried and not visible, it's time to change them. Aging is also crucial; tires older than four or five years are prone to cracks or brittleness, making them particularly dangerous on rainy or icy roads. I inspect the sidewalls once a year, and if I find bulges or cracks, I immediately go to a repair shop for a replacement—don’t wait until a blowout causes an accident. Regular maintenance also saves fuel and improves driving smoothness. Safe driving is key to protecting your family—don’t risk it to save money, as life is only once.
