Why Good Tire Tread Is so Critical

Although you might not think about them much, your tires are an incredibly important part of your vehicle. Everything from safety to performance requires having the right tire tread. Learn more about some of the risks of having worn tires and how you can tell when it’s time to replace your tires.

Safety on the Road

One of the most important reasons to have good tire tread is for your safety when you’re on the road. When the grooves in the tire aren’t deep enough to channel water away from the tread, you run the risk of hydroplaning and you have a harder time driving on slippery roads in the winter. Plus, not only is tire tread important for accelerating, but it’s also crucial for stopping. Worn tires with half the tread depth of new tires can take up to 6 feet longer to come to a stop on a wet road.

Overinflated and Underinflated Tires

While normal driving will cause your tires to eventually wear down, having tires that are overinflated or underinflated can speed up wear and tear or cause uneven wear. Overinflated tires become rigid and stiff, which decreases the amount of rubber that actually touches the road. They’re also more susceptible to damage from road hazards like potholes and curbs. Additionally, overinflated tires will cause excessive wear to the tread in the middle of the tire.

Not only do you not want to have your tires overinflated, but you also want to watch for underinflated tires. Underinflated tires can’t hold their shape and have too much rubber touching the road. If you have underinflated tires, you’ll start to notice excessive wear on the tread along the side of the tires, also known as the shoulder.

Fuel Efficiency

In addition to keeping your tires properly inflated to make sure you don’t have uneven wear on your tread, you also want to maintain proper inflation levels to help with your fuel economy. By keeping your tires inflated to the right level, you can improve your gas mileage by up to three percent. To find out what pressure you should keep your tires at check the sticker on your driver’s side doorjamb or your owner’s manual.

When to Replace Your Tires

Even if you keep your tires properly inflated, they’ll eventually wear down and you’ll need to replace them. Fortunately, there’s an easy test you can administer every few months to see if you need to replace your tires. Simply take a penny and place it head down in the groove of your tire. If you can’t see any of Lincoln’s head, your tire is fine. However, if you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, then you know it’s time to replace your tire.

Having good tread on your tires is important for the safety, performance, and fuel efficiency of your vehicle. Now that you understand why tire tread is so critical, you can monitor it and make sure you’re ready to replace your tires when the tread gets too low.

Image via Flickr by echoforsberg

Posted in Tire Care | No Comments »