Three Dangerous Types of Tires

Each and every year people get into vehicles, not knowing the risks that they face with bad tires. You’ve likely experienced the unfortunate feeling of having a overused tire go flat on you. Vehicles that are neglected are estimated to cost the economy over $2 billion every year. It is just that the previously mentioned concerns are usually ignored until it is too late. Some worry that they will have to completely replace their tires, which isn’t always the case. Retreading can be used to fix worn down tires, provided that the situation hasn’t grown too out of control. In order to help you assess your own tires, here are three dangerous types of tires you don’t want on your car. If you find that any of the situations you are about to see apply to you, consider calling a tire company in your area.

1. Tires with Poor Tread – The tread of a tire is what enables your car to have traction on the road. Needless to say, when you are driving on tires that don’t have enough tread, your risk for getting into an accident increases dramatically. Statistics show that when the tread on your tires has been worn down to 6/32nds of an inch, you need to get them replaced. When there are changes in the weather, tires that haven’t seen retreading can be deadly. In rainy conditions, bald tires enable a vehicle to slide more often than if it had tires with good tread. Test results show that a set of new tires begin hydroplaning at 60 mph, whereas worn down tires will hydroplane at only 47 mph. In situations where you are on the highway, the speeds are typically upwards of 65 mph, leaving worn down tires at great risk for sliding on wet roads. Retreading your tires can sometimes mean the difference between a safe drive and a dangerous one.
2. Underinflated Tires – It can be tough to visually assess the fullness of your tires, a mistake that many of us make. Not taking the time to ensure that your tires are properly inflated before going out on the road can be a big mistake. Results of a study done by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration showed vehicles with tires that were underinflated by more than 25% were three times more likely to suffer a tire-related crash than vehicles whose tires were properly inflated. If you even suspect that your tires look low, it’s always a wise idea to check with a tire pressure gauge. Most gas stations will have accessible air machines that you can use to get your tires properly inflated. Overinflated tires are a danger so make sure that you know the proper inflation numbers for your tires and vehicle.
3. Not Having the Right Tires for Weather Conditions – Typically, you will drive on the same set of tires until it’s time to have them changed. However, did you know that it is recommended to have different tires on your car, based on the time of the year? Winter tires are those that are specially made to handle the change in weather that adds more sleet, snow, and ice to roadways all across the country. When getting your winter tires put on, always remember that you must have all four of your tires match up. No matter which type of drive system you have in your car, whether it be front-wheel, rear-wheel, or all-wheel, you will need all four winter tires to be the same, only getting two of them is not an option.

In summary, there are many dangers that bad tires can have on the road. Tires in need of retreading will handle especially poorly in extreme weather conditions. Underinflated tires are far more likely to be involved in tire-related crashes. Tires that right for the weather could end up leaving you stranded on the side of the road. However, there can be an extra benefit for getting winter tires, depending on your insurance company. Certain insurance companies will give you up to a five percent discount on your premium if you have an entire set of winter tires on your vehicle.