There is no expiration date on the tires that indicates that the tires have expired and should be replaced. Like all the parts in the car, the tires of your car also wear out over time. In this case, the tires endanger both the safety of the vehicle and its occupants and the traffic safety. In this blog post, we will look for answers to questions like; “What is Tire Tread Depth?”, “How to Notice a Worn Tire?”, and “How Long Is the Tire Life?”.
What is Tire Tread Depth?
Before taking a closer look at how tires wear and tear, we need to understand the answer to the question that what is tire tread depth. The main purpose of the tire tread is to increase the road holding of the vehicle and direct the water under the tire to prevent the car from slipping in wet road conditions. We can also call tire tread depth a unit of measurement. In order for your car to be in traffic, the tire tread must meet the legal standard. The tire tread of new cars that have not been on the road before should be between 7-8 mm. Tread depth decreases over time, depending on the use of tires. The general recommendation of the laws and experts is that tires under 1.6 mm should not be in the traffic. Cars with a tread depth of 1.6 mm cannot pass the vehicle inspection anyway. You can also notice this situation before going to the examination and take measures accordingly.
How to Notice a Worn Tire?
If a tire needs replacement, you can start by checking the tread pattern of the tires first. As mentioned above, if the tread depth is less than 1.6 mm, you need to replace your tire. You can then examine the tread wear bars between the tire tread. The wear bars align with the tread of the tire as your tires wear. If you witness this in your tire, it is time to change the tire.
Another way to understand is you can do a coin test. It is a very reliable and simple test. You can measure by placing the coin in the grooves between the tire tread. If the ring part outside the coin disappears between the teeth, we can understand that this tire is still usable, or if the ring part of the money goes beyond the channel, it is time to change. You can use a standard coin for winter tires, while you can use a smaller coin for summer tires.
Another method you can use is to check for bumps or bubbles on the sidewall. The tire sidewall is the tire surface outside the vehicle's rim. If there is such a bulge or bubble in the sidewall area of your tire, you should definitely not travel and change your tire as soon as possible.
Finally, the vibration you feel on the steering wheel can also give you an idea of the condition of your tires. If your car's tires are not worn evenly, you will feel a vibration in the steering wheel while driving. If the intensity of vibration increases as the speed of the car increases, it means you need to balance your tires. If the vibration continues despite balancing, your tires are worn. In this case, you need to change your tires. However, if there is no wear and still there is vibration in your steering wheel, you can balance your rubber shock absorbers.
How Long Is the Tire Life?
There are many factors that affect the life of the tire. The way the driver uses the vehicle, weather conditions or tire brand are just a few of them. However, even if your tire is not worn, the most efficient time to use the tires is 4-6 years from the assembly process. As long as factors such as tire tread depth are convenient, you can use your tires with peace of mind for up to 6 years. However, if you ask certainly how many kilometres a tire lasts, it varies between 50,000 and 80,000 km.