Don’t let a flat tire happen to you.
Keeping a good pair of tires on your Ford is the difference between driving safely and possibly experiencing a disastrous accident. Did you know that there are over 400 fatalities yearly that have been credited to tire failure? Just knowing when to change tires is an important part of proper tire maintenance. So, how do you know when it is time?
A simple way is to visually inspect the wear bar that manufacturers place in the middle of tire tread. The bars will run vertical to the tread itself and are hardly visible when your tires are brand new. But when traveled on daily, the wear bars will become more visible. Once you see they are starting to become level with the tread of your tire, they are in need of tire replacement.
Grab a penny and do the penny test. Turn it upside down and stick the president’s head directly into the tire tread to measure its depth. If Abe Lincoln’s head is completely covered by the tread then your tires are just fine. But if Lincoln’s head is visible, your tires are worn and are in need of changing.
Nowadays, tires are designed to go a distance of 50,000 to 60,000 miles. But if the wear bars begin to show, replace your tires. Also, make sure to look for cracking in the sidewall due to the elements. Tires age must faster in hotter climates.
Ageing tires that are exposed to extreme elements are more prone to lose their elasticity which makes cracks appear on the surface. Not all cracking means you need to buy new tires but if there is excessive splintering, take your tires to the shop so a professional can determine the damage and if they need to be replace.
There are many legal requirements in the United States and it is up to you to know what your state says about tires. A lot of tires are considered old when they have reached 1/16 of their depth.
Don’t forget that tires do not wear evenly. It’s important to insert a penny into every groove in the tire. Tires that are inflated too much will wear out faster in the middle instead of the outside of the tire.
If you need your car or truck serviced, stop in at Johnson Brothers Ford.
