Your tires are the only parts of your car that touch the road, yet most drivers overlook them until a puncture leaves them stranded. Worn-out tires don’t just make your car look shabby; they also affect safety and the quality of your rides.
Regardless of how good your car engine is, bad tires can spoil the experience and put you at risk.
But how do you know when it’s time to replace them? Check out these five signs your car tires are begging to be replaced, and what you can do about it.
1. Your Tire Tread Is Worn Out
The tread, the grooves, and patterns on your tire surface are made to grip the road and displace water when driving in the rain. When this is worn out, your car loses grip, making skids and accidents more likely.
How to check: Use the “coin test.” Insert a coin into your tire grooves. If most of the coin shows, your tread depth is too shallow, and it’s time for a replacement.
Get strong tires with good tread life. Models like the Michelin Energy XM2+ or Bridgestone Turanza T005 are long-lasting and provide good grip. They cost more upfront, but they last longer and help you avoid frequent replacements.
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Photo: Michelin Energy XM2+
2. Cracks and Bulges on the Sidewalls
If you see visible bulges, cuts, or cracks on the side of your tire, that is a big red flag. These usually occur due to potholes, curbs, or simply due to heat and poor road conditions. A bulge means that the inner structure of the tire is affected, and the tire can burst at any time.
Replace the tire immediately. Bulges cannot be repaired. For those who use rough roads, Continental CrossContact LX2 or Goodyear Wrangler tires are recommended, as they’re built to endure rough roads.
To get 100% genuine Continental tyres, WhatsApp Tyre Republic on 0705 179 9290 and unlock an amazing discount, or visit their website to get a quote.
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3. Uneven Tire Wear
Sometimes, your tires wear out unevenly, with one side becoming bald, while the other still retains grooves. This could be the result of misaligned wheels, under-inflated tires, or suspension problems. Uneven wear reduces control and makes your car unstable at highway speeds.
To solve this, get a mechanic to check your suspension and wheel alignment. Then, replace the worn tires with balanced ones. To prevent uneven wear, rotate your tires every 10,000 km. A good option here is Hankook Kinergy Eco2 tires; they are affordable and known for even tread wear.
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Photo: Hankook Kinergy Eco2
4. Vibrations While Driving
It’s normal to feel some vibration when driving on Nigerian roads because of their uneven surface. However, if your steering wheel is vibrating excessively, even on a smooth road, your tires may be bad. Worn or out-of-balance tires can vibrate excessively, which wears down your suspension and makes driving uncomfortable.
See a professional to check for wheel balancing issues. If balancing won’t work, replace the affected tire. Pirelli Cinturato P7 is a good pick if you want comfort and performance; it’s shock-absorbing and rides out vibrations.