Here in the depths of winter, it’s tempting to just hop in your vehicle and try to avoid the cold. But you could be doing yourself and your vehicle a disservice by not checking your tires. In the winter, it’s easy to overlook worn tread or other potential problems with your tires, so here are some ways to tell whether you should get new tires.
Define the Problem
We’re not talking about getting winter tires, seasonal tires that help you drive in ice and snow and muck. Instead, we’re talking about your regular, everyday tires. The first thing you should do when checking on whether it’s time to get new tires is to test the tread depth. It seems like everyone knows this trick, or at least they ought to, but we’re going to say it anyway: The penny trick is a helpful gauge of the depth of your tire’s tread. Hold a penny upside down so that Honest Abe’s head is pointing down. Insert it into the tread. If you can see Lincoln’s hair, then it’s likely time for a new set of tires.
The Wobblies
Do you feel your vehicle’s steering change? Maybe it wobbles a bit more than it normally does. Check to see if the tread on your tires is separating. If it is, this is dangerous, and you’re going to need to get your tires replaces as soon as possible. Another thing to check: At least once a week, get down on your hands and knees and check the inside wall of your tires for bulges or bubbles that aren’t supposed to be there. A prominent bubble in your tire could lead to a blowout on the road, and no one wants to deal with that at speed.
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When You Need Service
Come see the well-trained and expertly qualified technicians in our service center here at Limbaugh Toyota. They’ll get you situated with a new set of tires, and you’ll be back on the road in a jiffy.
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