Is It Time to Replace Your Ford Tires?

Maintaining your tires over the years is crucial for a smooth-riding vehicle. Knowing when to replace them with new tires is essential to keeping your vehicle safe on the road. Keep your car’s wheels rolling with some tips and information from your Ford dealer on when it’s time to replace your Ford tires.

 

1. Tread Wear

Monitoring your tire’s tread is essential for your safety. The tread on your tires wears down over time, and their depth is what keeps you safe while driving. When the tread gets low enough, the tire can no longer provide adequate traction in wet conditions, which poses a risk to drivers and others on the road around them.

Look for uneven wear patterns. Uneven wear patterns can indicate alignment issues, which become more common as the car gets older or isn’t driven regularly. Alignment issues can increase your chances of having an accident because the car handles poorly and makes it difficult to stop on time.

2. The Penny Test

You can tell a lot about how your car has been driven by checking your tread depths. If you’re concerned about tire wear, you can use a penny to determine how much tread you have left.

By placing a penny head-down into several treads, you can estimate how much tread depth you have left. Place the penny in several grooves on your tire: if you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, it’s time to replace your tires. Also, the Lincoln Memorial is visible on the back of all current Lincoln pennies. The more visible the memorial, the less tread depth you have.

3. Tire Bulges and Blisters

Tire life is also affected by improper inflation. Under-inflated tires will wear more quickly, which can lead to premature replacement. It is recommended that you check your tire pressure monthly. If you notice bulges or blisters on the sidewall of your tire, this could mean a problem with internal pressure or an issue with the tread depth, which would require replacement.

4. Tire Age

Most people don’t know that tires expire. And just like with milk or bread, once the expiration date passes, you may need to replace your tires. Ford recommends purchasing tires every six years regardless of tread wear and how frequently you drive.

Tires are made of rubber and other materials that break down over time, making them more susceptible to damage. To help monitor your tire’s age, check the manufacture date on the sidewall of each tire and write that date down somewhere, so you don’t forget. It’s also a good idea to bring your vehicle to our service department for a yearly inspection, including checking out the tires.

Tires are expensive, so knowing when to replace them is essential. If you notice any of these signs, visit Chestatee Ford for a service appointment. You can count on us to inspect your tires and get you back on the road right away!

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