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How to Know When You Need to Get New Tires

You’re probably familiar with the recommendation of when to get an oil change: every 3 months or 3,000 miles. But do you know when you should replace the tires that keep your car going?

Good tires need to be on your vehicle at all times to ensure you’ve got proper traction and braking ability. If their tread gets low, you’re at an increased risk for crashes.

Unlike with oil changes, there isn’t a hard and fast rule for when you should replace your tires, because all vehicles are different and your tires will wear down differently based on how you drive.

Check Your Tire Tread

One thing to keep in mind is that you need enough tread on your tires to keep you safe. Tread refers to the grooves in your tire that help it grip the road.

So how do you know if your tire tread is low? Do the quarter test. Grab a quarter and put it upside-down in one of your tire’s treads, making sure George Washington’s head is facing you. If there is any gap between the top of the tire and Washington’s head, you need to replace your tires right away. If there’s no gap, but it’s getting close, now is the time to start shopping for new tires.

New tires don’t need to be expensive, but remember that you’ll get what you pay for. If you want to avoid replacing your tires again soon, ask us for recommendations on a solid, reliable option for your vehicle.

Look at Your Tire Structure

Another way to tell that your tire needs to be replaced immediately is if you can see any irregularities in its shape. If it’s bulging, looks uneven, has cracks or bubbles, you need a new tire.

Any of these issues indicate that your tire is no longer structurally sound. That means it’s unsafe to drive on and could pop or go flat at any minute. Sometimes these issues can be repaired, and we’re more than happy to let you know when that’s the case instead of needing a new tire.

How Old Are Your Tires?

Even if your tires have enough tread and no visual issues, if they’re old enough, they could be unsafe to drive. With age, the rubber on the tires has less traction. Age also increases the risk that there are issues inside the tire that aren’t readily visible to you.

Look up recommendations for your car’s make and model for when you should replace your tires, or call us and we can let you know. We’ll ask you what car you’re driving and when you bought your current tires. Many times we’ll ask you to bring your car in for an inspection. If you don’t need new tires, we’ll let you know and we’ll even tell you when you should bring it back in for another inspection in the future. Your safety is our priority.

Have the Right Tires for Your Environment

Another thing to keep in mind is your environment. Montana has a climate that gets cold, snowy winters. High-quality snow tires should be put on your car before you need them. You certainly don’t want to drive with them on for too long before winter or you’ll wear them down, but you also don’t want to get caught in the first snowstorm without them! Keep an eye on the weather forecasts and make sure you’ve got your snow tires on before that first snow.

This applies to everyday vehicles like cars, trucks, and SUVs. If you’ve got a commercial vehicle, semi, tractor, or other industrial vehicle, Staley’s Tire’s Frontage Road location can give you personalized advice on when to replace your tires. Give us a call at (406) 294-8473 for custom help today.