The lifespan of your tires depends on a variety of factors. The road conditions, climate, wheel alignment, tire pressure, and driving habits all contribute to wear and tear. The following signs will warn you when it’s time for new Mazda tires.
1. Worn Treads
Worn treads are extremely dangerous and will lead to unsafe driving conditions, especially in extreme weather. Checking the tread grooves on the tires are crucial for road safety, and if they are worn beyond the recommended tread depth levels, it is best to replace them immediately.
Tread Depth Requirements
New tires have 10/32 inch tread depths. Trucks and SUVs may have deeper tread depths. The U.S. Department of Transportation prescribes a minimum of 2/32 inch tread for passenger vehicles. They recommend that you change your vehicle’s tires at this depth.
Indicator Bars
Between the tread grooves are indicators or wear bars, to help you determine when you need to replace your tires. When the tread is flush with the indicator bar, replace the tires.
The Penny Test
This is an easy test to determine if the tires on your car need to be replaced. Slide a penny into several of the tire tread grooves and see how deep it goes in. Turn the penny so that Lincoln’s head is down and his body is between your fingers. If you can’t see the top of his head, your tread is good. If you can see his whole head, it’s a sign that you need new tires.
Tread Depth Gauge
Stick the probe of the gauge into the shallowest groove, press the shoulder of the probe flat against the tread, and see what the measurement is. If it is at the minimum or lower than the recommended depth, get the tires changed.
2. Different Signs of Wear
If there is wear around the whole tire, it is normal but still needs to be replaced if the grooves are shallow. Wear in the center of the tires indicates overinflation, and wear on the shoulder is a sign of underinflation. If the tread wear is uneven, it is caused by poor wheel alignment, and if the wear is on the side, it is an incorrect camber angle. A knobby outer section indicates problems with the toe-in value. All of the above are signs that it’s time for new tires.
3. Cracks
Crack on the sidewalls or base of the grooves is usually caused by rough road conditions, extreme temperatures, and under or over inflations. If any surface cracks are visible, it is not something to worry about immediately, but when they get deeper replace the tires.
4. Bubbles and Bulges
When you see bulges or bubbles, it is caused by damage to the inner lining of the tire. This is a sign that you must change the tire immediately.
5. Vibrations
If you feel vibrations when you are driving at any speed, do not ignore it. It may be a sign of tire damage or excessive wear. Take your car for a tire check.
Worn tires are not safe. The moment you see any of the above signs, let a Mazda technician check the tires. Contact Flood Mazda today. Our expert technicians will do a thorough tire inspection to ensure that you are safe on the road.
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