As a tire shop in Kissimmee, Florida we know that tires are among the most neglected components of a vehicle. Since tires play an integral role in moving the car forward or backward, they are bound to face wear and tear. The lack of maintenance can take its toll on tires, which eventually results in them breaking down.
While regular repairs are essential for the effective maintenance of your tire, there comes a time when the damage to the tire cannot be fixed by simple repairs. The wear and tear does not necessarily mean that you are a rough driver, and it doesn’t imply a lack of maintenance either. The wear and tear of tires is a natural process, similar to the soreness you experience after taking a long, long walk.
Any sign of tire damage is alarming. Damage to the tires while driving can have catastrophic consequences for the user. This is why it is imperative to pay necessary attention to the tires to prevent dangerous accidents from occurring.
Going for tire repair is a safe option, but there comes a time when it is no longer an option. The factors that cause the need for tire replacement are somewhat different from the ones that call for tire repair. Therefore, if you notice any one of the factors, you need to visit a tire shop in Kissimmee, FL.
Here are some signs that indicate the need for tire replacement.
- Bald Tires
Everyone is aware of the dangers of driving with bald tires. Regardless of the type of road you are traveling on, driving with bald tires is an accident waiting to happen. Many people shun the dangers of driving with bald tires as a myth. However, according to research by the National Center of Statistics and Analysis, they could not be more wrong.
The research on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration revealed that 26.2% of crashes were due to bald tires.
This is enough to prove that bald tires are prone to accidents and failure. Therefore, rather than getting the tires repaired, you need to visit a tire shop in Kissimmee, FL, to replace the bald tires.
2. Cracks or Gouges on the Sidewalls
You may have come across cracks on tires. Although these cracks can occur anywhere on the surface of a tire, they are predominantly found on the sidewall.
An aging tire is the most common reason for the cracking of the sidewall. The situation is similar to an older rubber band that is brittle and is more likely to break when extended.
The cracks don’t need to appear on cars that are heavily used. The cracks are a common feature even on tires installed in a vehicle that is rarely used. Exposure to sunlight and excessive heat are some of the main reasons why the tire cracks.
Similarly, rain and ice can also result in cracks in the sidewall. Poor alignment is another reason behind damaged sidewalls. Consistent damage of such magnitude means that you need to visit a tire shop in Kissimmee, FL.
If you notice a few cracks on the sidewall, it is crucial to visit the dealership responsible for manufacturing of these tires. Not taking action on the defect can result in immediate safety concerns as the cracks expose the underlying structures of the tire, increasing the risk of a blowout.
A blowout or tire failure, as we all know, is every driver’s nightmare. You can only imagine the consequences of a blowout on the highway. The speeds at which the vehicles move on the highway convert a normal slip-up into a major catastrophe.
Therefore, you must take action before the surface cracks evolve into something serious.
3. Constantly Bumpy Car
When driving on an uneven surface, you car will vibrate a lot. However, if you get the same shaky feeling on a well-paved and straight road, it means that things are much more serious.
The blame for a shaky car is often put on balance. While this is the case on most occasions, it is not always the reason for the problem. The vibration that you feel on a moving car is caused by the incorrect molding on the tire. Another reason for the imbalance is that the tire is made from damaged rubber or steel belts.
Although the exterior of a car tire is made of rubber, the internal part is made of layered steel belts. If any of the belts breaks or slips from its place, the car loses its balance. This can also cause a bump at each rotation of the wheel.
The replacement of the car tire is the only solution to the shaking problem. Damage to the car tires is one of the main reasons excessive shaking carries on for long periods on the road.
4. Expired Tread Wear Warranty
Most tires come with a limited treadwear warranty. Generally, this warranty lasts for five to six years. The warranty is a guarantee of the performance, and the treadwear warranty informs you of the performance and the mileage of the tires before you start using them.
If the tires wear out before you reach the mileage mentioned, the manufacturer provides you with a refund. However, if your tires have exceeded the warranty limit, it is a good idea to have them replaced. Visit a tire shop in Kissimmee, FL, and replace the current set of tires with new ones.
5. Spare Tire
Every car owner has used a spare tire once in their life. The tire has been a lifesaver on numerous occasions and has guided us out of trouble.
However, the functions of a spare tire are by no means similar to that of a traditional tire. You only use a spare tire when you have a flat tire, and you need to change it get a quick fix. The benefits of a spare tire are for all to see, but if you are using them for extended periods, it means you need a replacement.
Driving for long periods using a spare tire is not good for the car. A spare tire is meant to provide the user with a temporary solution. It is by no means as durable as the other conventional tires. The tires cannot provide the same amount of traction and do not have the same cornering ability.
Spare tires are not meant for permanent use and can whither under pressure, therefore replace them with conventional tires immediately.
6. Worn Down Tread
A limited amount of tire tread can make it difficult for the user to control the car. It leads to unsafe driving conditions because you can lose control of your vehicle at any point. The tire tread matters when the roads are slippery or snowy, the moment the precipitation gets between the tires, you need the tread to cut through it. While the tire cuts through the precipitation, it needs to maintain maximum contact with the surface of the road. The shallower the tread, the easier it is for the ride to lose traction, especially while driving in the snow or wet areas.
Reducing the speed of the ride may help you gain control in the areas, but that is only possible when you have treads that are not worn out. Most of the new models have built-in-wear bars in the tire’s tread. The wear bars are rubber bars that lie perpendicular to the tread of the tire. The wear bar becomes visible as the tread wears down.
If the wear bar is visibly apparent and is evenly present in the tires, it is time to visit a tire shop in Kissimmee, FL, for tire replacement.
7. Visible Cords
Sometimes, manufacturers of tires do not take into account the alignment of the tire. The poor alignment results in a tire that is vulnerable to revealing the cords or wires that exist inside. This, in turn, causes the tire to lose balance.
The visibility of cords reduces the performance of the car and increases the risk of blowout. Tires with visible wires are unsafe for driving. They need to be replaced immediately with new, upgraded ones from a reputed tire shop in Kissimmee, FL.
8. The Depth of the Tread
Another factor that indicates the need for tire replacement is the depth of the tread. The tread of your tires should not fall below 1/16 of an inch. This is 1.6 millimeters in-depth, which increases depending on the road you drive on. If you drive on roads that are wet and slippery, you’ll need twice as much tread to improve your performance.
Experts use the penny test to measure the depth of tread of a tire. The test requires the use of the Lincoln-head penny that you find in your change every day. Insert Abe’s head from the penny into the tread, and if Lincoln’s head is visible, it is a sign that you don’t have enough tread.
Take your tire to a tire shop in Kissimmee, FL, and replace it immediately if your tread lacks enough depth.
9. Snowy Winters
If you live in an area where it snows regularly during the winters, then you need to practice caution in with your tires. Regular maintenance of the tires should be your top priority when living in such conditions, and it is always a good idea to replace them once they’ve outlived their useful life.
The reason behind this is that the regular tires installed in your car are not meant to last in the snow. The winter season might pass without causing any damage to your tires, but you still need to exercise caution. The power required for treading through snow and the frost can take its toll on the regular tires. This is why you should consider the idea of using snow tires during the winter season.
These are some of the indicators that are enough to convince the user to visit a tire shop in Kissimmee, FL, and replace the existing tires.
We have already emphasized the risks of ignoring the needs of the tires. The data never lies, and going by the data, it is safe to say that having even a semblance of doubt should be enough to convince you to change your tires.
The maintenance of the tires is also essential. If you want to avoid the frequent replacement of tires, you should go the extra mile to keep your car tires in a pristine condition.
Maintenance delays the inevitable, because at some point or the other, you may have to make the decision of replacing your tire. Therefore, if you notice any of the indicators mentioned above, replace your car tires immediately.