Healthy tires are essential for driving safety. As time passes, your tires will become worn or damaged and you’ll need replacements. As your Toyota dealer, we’d like to tell you some signs that you may need to visit us for new tires very soon.
Signs You Need New Tires From Your Toyota Dealer
Worn Tread
The tread is the raised section of the tire that’s in contact with the surface. It provides friction against the surface when you brake, and it also allows the tire to grip the surface. It’s also the part of a tire that suffers the most damage through abrasion, so it has metal and composite reinforcement strips underneath the to give it additional strength.
The tread slowly wears down as minute pieces of rubber fleck off. As the tread level drops, the tires take longer to stop due to the reduced friction provided by the smoother tread. The minimum safe tread height is 2/32″, which makes it important to check your tread regularly, particularly if your tires are older. We’ll examine your tread and advise if the tire or tires are still safe to drive on. We can also replace and balance your tires if needed.
Bulges
A bulge or bubble in a tire is a raised section filled with air. It’s usually caused by part of the tire being pinched against a solid object, like the curb. A bulge in a tire makes that tire more prone to a blowout, as the rubber covering the section is stretched thinner than the rest of the tire.
When you’re driving, the air inside a tire heats up due to friction with the surface. As the air inside the tire gets hotter, the tire pressure rises. The combination of a weakened tire section and increased internal pressure can easily cause the bubble to burst and blow out. We advise visiting our service department ASAP if you discover a bulge in one of your tires.
Cracks
Modern tires are scientifically engineered for strength and longevity. They last longer than ever before, but they will get damaged over time. When a tire is new, the rubber is flexible, which helps protect it and enables it to provide the grip you need when you’re driving. Exposure to heat, cold, water, and even sunlight gradually causes a tire to lose this flexibility.
As the rubber becomes less flexible, it’s more likely to develop cracks. These cracks will widen and deepen as the rubber heats up when you’re driving. If a crack runs deep enough into the rubber, it will cause a leak. Our technicians will examine any cracks and can advise if a tire needs replacement.
If your tires look worn or damaged, visit our service department today at Bill Page Toyota in Falls Church, VA.
