We've all been there. You roll out of the house, hop on your ride, and take off down the street. As you start your commute, you notice a strange vibration and some noise, and by the time you stop, you've decimated a tire by driving on it while flat, shredding the rubber like a politician with photographic evidence of their latest scandal.
Why Does This Happen?
Tires - like everything else - will fail in time. Driving places them under intense pressure and stress, in addition to extreme temperatures.
There are several signs to look for when you inspect your tires. Some of them are fairly obvious, but others require a more disciplined eye to spot. Frequent examinations of tire condition will ensure that you are not driving on junk tires.
Tread Depth
When your tread falls to 1/16th of an inch of depth, it is time to replace tires. An easy test for this is to use a penny and insert it into the tread with Lincoln's head down. If you can see his entire head, your tread depth is too shallow.
It's important to note that 1/16th of an inch is the minimum acceptable depth, but if you frequently drive wet, muddy, or snowy roads, you may want to change your tires sooner to ensure you have enough traction to hold the road.
Cracked or Weathered Sidewalls
Your sidewalls should be free of cracks, cuts, gouges, and bulges. Any of these types of issues with the sidewall could mean that the tire is leaking, or maybe getting ready to blow out. Failure to check sidewalls for damage puts you at risk of driving on junk tires without knowing it.
Excessive Vibration
Excessive vibration while driving is always a sign of a problem, but there could be several causes. One potential cause is an internal problem with one of your tires. Even if the vibration is not caused by a tire, driving a vehicle with excessive vibration will quickly ruin a tire, so it's important to get your car checked out if you're experiencing new or excessive vibration.
Is It Worth It?
The tires are expensive. If you are driving a vehicle that needs tires and is nearing the end of its serviceable life, you may be questioning whether it's time to seek out options to sell junk vehicles.
Many vendors are willing to work with you to scrap your vehicle, and doing so can put some quick cash in your pocket. A quick internet search for "I Buy Junk Vehicles" will help you to find local options to sell junk vehicles, or contact us here.