It’s a good idea for all safety-conscious drivers to know the signs that a tire needs to be replaced. The following are seven key issues that could indicate the need for new tires. You can have your tires promptly checked, rotated, or replaced at your local Lexus dealership.
Tire Pressure Light
When tires are either over or under-inflated, they become at risk of overheating, blowing out, or losing traction. If any of your tires start to lose air pressure, it might have a concealed puncture or some other serious problem. It’s best to ask a technician to take a look. In many vehicles, your first warning of this problem is likely to be the tire pressure light appearing on your dashboard.
Embedded Objects
Tire rubber can sometimes pick up nails, screws, metal fragments, glass, or even sharp stones from the road. While inspecting your tires, if you find an embedded object, remove it or ask a technician to remove it for you. If an object has penetrated deeply, the tire may be punctured.
Bulges or Blisters
Strong impacts with potholes can sometimes cause the surface layer of a tire to bulge or blister. This is often a sign of significant internal damage, meaning the tire is no longer safe to use.
Too Many Cracks
Tire rubber contains some chemicals and moisture, which gradually dry out over time. As this happens, cracks begin to appear, especially in the sidewalls. If these cracks become excessive, the structure and safety of the tire might become threatened.
Vibrations and Noise
When tires become unevenly worn or damaged, the driver will often feel unusual vibrations and hear excessive road noise. It’s best not to ignore any such indications that your tires need attention.
Shallow Tread Depths
When tire treads grow too shallow, the rubber will struggle to grip the road. In order to avoid potential skids, it’s important to periodically measure the tread depths of your tires.
When tire treads near 2/32 of an inch in depth, it’s time for replacements. During winter, or in particularly wet climates, it may be best to replace your tires long before they reach 2/32 of an inch.
Reduced Traction
You should never ignore any sudden loss of traction, even if your tire treads are still deep. If you lose confidence in the gripping strength of your tires for any reason, ask a trusted technician to take a look and determine whether or not your tires are still safe to use.
Have your vehicle’s tires inspected, repaired, or replaced today at Lexus of Kingsport. We’re a full-service dealership providing exceptional customer service to match the quality of our cars.
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