Good tires are critical in the overall safety of your car. Like most things in life, tires wear out. Whether it’s from aging, general wear and tear, UV exposure, or getting punctured, your tires will most likely have to be replaced at some point in the lifetime of your car.
Worn out tires can greatly affect the safety of your car, making it difficult to stop in rainy or wet conditions or being more susceptible to damage caused by rough road conditions, such as potholes.
The legal wear limit is 2/32nd of an inch, or 1.6mm. A great way to test whether or not your tires are ‘bald’ and in need of replacement is the dime test. Place the dime upside down into the groove of your tire. If you can see the top of the sailboat’s mast, then you need new tires. CTV News has a great guide to tire safety that can be found here.
All tires are also made with markers or wear bars located in the groove. If they are level with the tread, then it is time to replace your tires.
There are steps you can take to ensure that you get the most life out of your tires. Regularly check the air pressure in your tires and make sure that you top up the air if they’re a little flat. Also, keeping an eye on your tires for any cracking, bulges, punctures, or cuts will also go a long way in catching minor problems before they become larger problems!
Stay safe on the road this summer by checking your tires and replacing any that are worn out!