Just like your legs ache after a long walk, the tires on your car wear out every time you drive. This isn't a sign of poor driving, but rather an inevitable fact. Tires age and wear out, especially truck tires, where wear can accelerate under the weight of heavy vehicles. And since tire failure while driving can have catastrophic consequences, causing your vehicle to spin out of control, it's best to know when your tires are in poor condition so you can replace them with new ones before anything goes wrong. Of course, if you have a mechanic who regularly inspects your car, they'll likely tell you when your tires need replacing, but there are a few things you can do yourself without visiting your local auto shop.
1. Too much vibration
Some vibration is inevitable when driving, especially on rough roads, but if you've been driving for a while, you'll be able to feel how much vibration is within normal limits. Vibration can be caused by several things, including unbalanced wheels or shock absorbers starting to fail. But it can also indicate an internal problem with the tire itself. Even if the tire isn't the primary cause of the vibration, it can damage it, and problems will soon arise. Remember, excessive vibration is almost always a sign that something is wrong.
2. Tread wear indicator
New modern tires have tread wear indicators. These stripes, invisible or barely noticeable when new, gradually begin to appear as the tread wears. They look like flat rubber rods running perpendicular to the tread. If two or more are visible on a tire, the tread is wearing down and becoming flat. This is especially noticeable in wet marks, such as when driving through a puddle.
3. Bumps and blisters on the tire
Sometimes the outer surface of a tire begins to weaken. This can result in a bulge or blister protruding outward from the rest of the surface. This resembles a blood vessel aneurysm. The same thing happens with a tire. This weak spot can cause a sudden rupture, and the tire will burst. So keep an eye out for these bulges and blisters.
4. Tread depth
The tread on your tires should never drop below 1.6 millimeters (0.6 inches). If you regularly drive on slippery, wet roads, it's worth getting a tread depth gauge, like the pros do. This age-old trick will give you a rough idea of how much tread you have left, and it won't cost you much money down the road.
5. Cracks in the sidewall
Not all tire problems are in the tread. They can also appear in the sidewall. Fortunately, it's easy to visually check for sidewall problems. Look for marks or cuts on the sidewall—striations that are quite clearly visible to the naked eye. These can be signs that your tire is starting to leak (or, worse, that it's about to blow out). Therefore, if sidewall cracks start to look serious, it's worth replacing the tire with a new one as soon as possible. Better safe than sorry, as the saying goes.
Top 5 Best Tire Brands
All car owners want high-quality tires that will last a long time. But choosing the best tires can be quite a challenge, as there are so many available from different companies and brands. This ranking presents the best tire brands for 2024, which will ensure your car's safety in potentially dangerous situations and can withstand challenging road and weather conditions.
1. Michelin
The renowned French tire company Michelin is a brand with an excellent reputation for producing high-quality rubber. This French multinational company produces tires for a variety of vehicles, from passenger cars and heavy equipment to motorcycles and bicycles. The brand is credited with numerous inventions and innovative developments, including radial, removable, and pneumatic tires. Since its founding in 1889, the company has produced superior tires that deliver exceptional performance, earning it a top spot in the rankings.
2. Continental
Founded in 1871, this German brand continues to produce some of the finest tires. This time-tested brand produces excellent quality tires for passenger cars and motorcycles. Continental dominates the market when it comes to safety and fuel economy, and is currently one of the leading suppliers of safe car tires in the world. Therefore, Continental tires are an ideal choice if you frequently drive off-road or travel in harsh weather conditions, including icy roads, rain, and sleet.
3. Pirelli
Since its founding in 1872, this Italian brand has continued to produce the finest ultra-high-performance industrial tires, which have long been used on luxury cars like Maserati, Lamborghini, and Ferrari. Pirelli has also proven itself in Formula 1, was named one of the best tire brands in 2024, and continues to deliver excellent performance. The quality of their tires is excellent for everyday use, and they offer a wide range of models suitable for SUVs and passenger cars.
4. Goodyear
Goodyear is a multinational company founded by Frank Seiberling in 1898. Goodyear is one of the top tire brands in the United States, producing high-quality tires for agricultural equipment, motorcycles, cars, commercial trucks, SUVs, racing cars, and even airplanes. As a result, the company is trusted and remains one of the world's largest tire manufacturers. Goodyear tires are extremely durable and capable of withstanding high speeds. With exceptional wear, Goodyear tires offer tenacious traction and a very responsive ride.
5. Bridgestone
This brand emerged in 1988 from the merger of two tire companies: the American Firestone, founded in 1900, and the Japanese Bridgestone, founded in 1931. They form one of the largest rubber manufacturers worldwide, offering a variety of tire models for vehicles such as trucks, cars, and SUVs. Credit for the invention of radial tires also goes to this brand, and Bridgestone is currently one of the most innovative companies in the automotive tire industry.
Bridgestone has also recently begun using renewable resources in its product manufacturing and is committed to making the Earth healthier by reducing CO2 emissions across all its production processes. Thus, Bridgestone tires are environmentally friendly and highly efficient.