Has it been a while since you got new tires? Have you recently had a flat tire or a tire blowout, requiring a tire repair? Are you driving on a spare tire, or is your car vibrating a lot? Driving with bad tires is dangerous and not something to be taken lightly, as it can make your car difficult to handle and decrease the integrity of your car’s connection to the road. In some cases, all new tires are in order, or maybe you just need a tire repair if you a drove over a nail or something similar. It’s also possible you need a wheel alignment if your tires are unbalanced. Read on for more answers to the question, “When do I need new tires?”
How to Tell If It’s Time for New Tires
Testing your tires tread will cost you a small fee of one cent. This is commonly referred to as the penny test. It’s a small price to pay when it comes to your tires and safety. First, place a penny head first into different tread grooves throughout the tire. If the top of Lincoln’s head is continuously showing, it is likely that the treads are low and used up. If you find yourself in this situation, you will need new tires. Conversely, if part of Lincoln’s head is consistently enclosed by the tread, you most likely have more than 2/32 of an inch of tread depth left to work with.
How a Wheel Alignment Can Help Prolong the Life of Your New Tires
A wheel alignment is the process of adjusting your car’s suspension components to bring the wheels and tires into specific angles, which facilitates optimal vehicle handling, tire wear, and performance. Under normal driving conditions, a wheel alignment once or twice per year is recommended; however, there is no guaranteed length of time your vehicle will stay in alignment. For example, if you hit a huge pothole leaving the auto repair shop, your wheel alignment could be undone immediately. When you get new tires, getting a wheel alignment as well is a smart idea, especially if your old, dismounted tires show signs of uneven wear. Getting a wheel alignment will help ensure proper tire wear and full tire life for your new tires.
Tire Alignment
If you have questions about new tires, tire repair, or whether you need a wheel alignment, please call our auto repair shop. Our tire techs are extremely knowledgeable when it comes to making new tire recommendations and handling tire repairs. For wheel alignments, we use state-of-the-art equipment and strictly adhere to your vehicle manufacturer’s alignment specifications. You can trust us to do right by you and your tires.