Boy, I am feeling tired today. I think it's time for a nap. Cayenne here, and when dogs are tired, well, we just take a nice dog nap, but when your tires are tired, well, that can cause a problem. So today, we are going to bark about tired tires and whether it's time to replace them. Let's wake up and start barkin'!
Of the things you think about most, your tires are probably pretty far down the list. That’s understandable because today’s tires are engineered to do their job without needing you to pay too much attention to them. But they DO wear out, and worn tires can contribute to skidding in bad weather, not being able to stop, a ride full of uncomfortable vibrations and, even a sudden blowout. Yikes. Let’s figure out right now how to know if your tires need replacing!
Let’s face it. Most of us don’t know the first thing about tires. So, the best way to ensure what shape you are in is to take your vehicle to a qualified service facility to have the tires checked out by a trained technician. Here are things they’ll check:
- Tread. Tread is the part of the tire that touches the road surface. Different tires have different tread patterns and something called tread blocks - the raised rubber parts that contact the road. The longer a tire has been on a vehicle, the more that rubber wears off. The technician will check to see if enough of that tread is left on your tire for sufficient traction to accelerate, steer, and brake.
- Pressure. It’s important that your tires are inflated properly so they will perform the way they’re designed while driving. If your tires have low air pressure, the technician will check to see why, perhaps cracks in the sidewall from age, a nail in the rubber picked up on the road, or bulges. It’s also important that your tires are not overinflated.
- Wear. Your tires should wear evenly. If they haven’t, the uneven wear can cause vibrations that you can feel in the steering wheel. Maybe the whole vehicle shakes at a certain speed. Your vehicle may require other services such as balancing, alignment, or suspension repairs to prevent future tire damage.
- Age. Your tires may have adequate tread, but it's time for new if they’re too old. Rubber gets old, and when it does, it loses its elasticity. Have you ever found an old rubber band and tried to stretch it? It’s brittle and will break easily. Hotter climates will age rubber—and tires—faster. All tires have their date of manufacture stamped on them, so your service adviser can see when your tires were made.
If it’s time to replace your tires, you’ll have many choices for new ones: different brands, models, designs, etc. Your service adviser can help you determine which ones are right for you. It's much better and safer to do it before one fails at the least opportune time.
My quote for this week,
"The nap is a sort of easy version of meditation." ~Tom Hodgkinson, How To Be Idle: A Loafer's Manifesto, 2004
Cayenne
Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
650.968.7227
http://alliedautoworks.com