It's easy to forget about your car's tires since they generally do their job. Before they run out of tread or blowout due to age, learn how to inspect them and decide if your car needs new tires.

Easy Ways to Know If Your Car Needs New Tires

If you're like most drivers, then you probably don't check on your tires as often as you should. After all, they're pretty hard to remember since they generally do their job without much trouble. Even so, it's important that you stay on top of their condition before you end up in danger. Below are some tips to help you inspect your tires.

Inspect Your Tire Tread

Inspecting tire tread may sound like a job for a professional mechanic, but it's something you can do all on your own. Even if you nothing about tires, this is one task you'll have no trouble completing. If you check online, you'll find plenty of information saying that your tire tread shouldn't be lower than 1/16th of an inch, but for a normal person, this doesn't mean much. What you can do instead of looking for a ruler is look for a penny. Grab one out of your pocket or your change jar and head on over to your tires. To check your tread, start by flipping the penny so Lincoln is upside down. Next, stick the penny head-first in between the grooves of your tire tread. If the top of Lincoln's head is visible, then it's time for new tires. If the top of his head is still covered, your tires are still good for now. Do this in a few spots on the same tire since tread can sometimes wear down unevenly. In cases where the tread is more worn on the inside out outside of your tires, you will want to get your alignment checked.

Keep an Eye on the Sidewalls

After checking the tread, stay at the same tire so you can inspect it further. The next thing you'll want to check on is the sidewall of the tire. This refers to the side of the tire facing out that doesn't come into contact with the ground. If you're not sure what to look for, start by checking for cracks. These may be small and hardly noticeable from afar, but if you do notice some cracks up close, this isn't a good sign. Cracks will often appear as a result of age and wear. Although they start off small and unassuming, these can quickly grow longer and deeper, leaving your tires vulnerable. When you notice a crack, keep an eye on it and don't let it grow since this can lead to tire issues on the road and when you least expect them. Giving your car a synthetic oil change in Wichita can help your engine stay in better health for longer. Click here to purchase AMSOIL's Signature Series 0W-40 Synthetic Motor Oil, which can keep your car in top shape for a long time. If you want some help finding the right products for your next oil change, contact the friendly oil experts at Hartmans Inc. at (316) 686-1069. You can also stop by their online shop to browse their products and place your order.

Additional Signs of Wear

After checking for cracks, move onto looking for bulges and blisters in the sidewall. These are more signs of wear and age that can appear as the rubber on your tires becomes weaker. There isn't a fix for this and the blisters can actually lead to dangers, like tire blowouts while you're driving. Since these can't exactly be fixed, they shouldn't go ignored. As soon as you notice your tire has a blister, bulge, or bubble of some sort, get them replaced with new and safer tires.

New Vibrations

Most cars vibrate at least a little, especially on a cold start. You know your car best and its vibrations, so if you start to notice new vibrations or more intense ones, this is something you should get checked out. Oftentimes, vibrations can be the result of suspension or tire issues, so don't ignore these issues. If you do ignore them, vibrations can lead to tire issues even if this wasn't the reason behind them.

Get a Synthetic Oil Change in Wichita

A synthetic oil change in Wichita is a great option because it can keep your car in great shape for longer. Contact the friendly oil pros at Hartmans Inc. at (316) 686-1069 for the personalized service you need to find the right products for your car.