Each year, an estimated 33,000 road accidents are caused by tire failure. But if you regularly inspect your tires for damage, check their air pressure, and take them in for rotation, you're very unlikely to have a tire fail on you. Keep an eye out for the following eight signs of trouble, any of which should prompt a swift visit to your nearest Ford dealer for a set of new tires.
8 Signs Your Ford Needs New Tires
Low Tread Depth
During the warmer months, it's unwise to drive on tires with tread depth under 2/32 of an inch. In fact, it's illegal to have less than this tread depth in most states, including Ohio. During winter, it's considered unwise to drive on treads shallower than 5/32 of an inch.
To help know when your treads at too worn down, keep an eye on the tire wear bars inside the largest voids between your treads. These little bars are usually 2/32 of an inch high. So when your treads have worn down to the level of these bars, you know it's time for replacements.
Uneven Tread Depth
If just one of your tires has significantly shallower treads than the others, your handling will suffer, and you're at risk of skids. You'll have to replace the full pair or set of tires.
With front or rear-wheel drives, you can generally change your tires in pairs. But if you have a car with four-wheel drive, you'll need to replace all four tires at once. You can mitigate the risk of uneven tire wear with regular tire rotation, which should usually be carried out twice a year.
Blistered Rubber
Any blistering or bubbling in tire rubber means the structural integrity of the whole tire is threatened. Bubbles often indicate an internal puncture. That tire will have to go.
Cracked Sidewalls
The rubber of tire sidewalls contains a little moisture as part of its compound. This moisture can gradually dry out in the powerful UV rays of direct sunlight, which starts to crack the rubber. Hairline cracks are okay, but anything larger means the tire is on its last legs.
Deeply Cut Treads
Sharp objects on the road can slice into tire rubber. As with cracks, tiny cuts are usually harmless. But if you see a cut that's over an inch in length and deep, your tire will probably need replacing.
Embedded Objects
Sometimes an object, like a sharp stone, nail, or scrap of metal, can become embedded in your tire. Embedded objects might conceal a hidden puncture. Pull it out to see how deep the damage goes.
Winter's Approaching
The slippery, icy roads of winter offer a whole new challenge to car tires. It's always wise to install winter tires as the temperature drops.
Your Ford Dealer Finds a Fault
Experienced technicians can often spot issues that you might miss, such as if your wheels are slightly misaligned or cambering, causing unusual tire pressure. This is why regular servicing visits at your local dealership are so important.
Visit Ken Ganley Ford today to have your tires inspected, rotated, or replaced. We provide the local drivers of Ohio with top-notch vehicles and customer service.
