Mar 15, 2024
A tire change in San Jose, CA

Tire failure is a significant cause of road accidents. You can dramatically reduce your risk of experiencing a blowout or skid by paying close attention to the condition of your tires. If you notice the following indications of trouble, head straight to your local Mitsubishi dealership for a set of new tires.

Worn-Down Tire Treads

Tires need sufficient tread depth to displace water on wet patches of the road and maintain firm traction at all times. For this reason, always stay aware of the depth of your tire treads. When your tire treads near 2/32 of an inch in depth, it’s time for replacements.

You can use a tire tread gauge to measure tread depth. Alternatively, you can insert a penny coin into the deepest area of a tire’s treads. If the top of Lincoln’s head remains visible, the tread depth has fallen below 2/32 of an inch, and it’s time for the tire to go. 

Sudden Loss of Traction

While driving, never ignore any momentary losses of traction, even if your tires appear to be in good condition. You need to feel confident that your tires can maintain a strong grip on any road surface. If you start to doubt how well your tires hold to the road, have a technician take a look without delay.

Uneven Tire Wear

Car tires inevitably wear down unevenly to some degree. This is due to unevenly distributed weight and pressure at every corner of the vehicle. You can have your tires rotated twice or thrice yearly to rectify this issue. But if your tires become too uneven in size, you’ll probably need to replace all four. 

Bulges and Other Damage

Anything more than very minor damage can ruin the structural integrity of a car tire. If you notice a strange bulge in the rubber, that tire might have become internally damaged by an impact with a pothole or curb. This usually spells the end of the road for the tire.

Likewise, large cuts and gashes might be irreparable. Serious punctures, embedded objects, and excessive cracks can also make the tire no longer safe to use. 

Plummeting Tire Pressure

If you notice the tire pressure gauge on your dashboard light up repeatedly, one of your tires may have a slow leak of air. This might point to a hidden puncture or some other defect with the leaking tire. It’s dangerous to drive on a tire that’s losing air pressure, as this increases friction and raises the risk of a blowout. Visit San Jose Mitsubishi in San Jose, CA, today to have your worn-out tires promptly repaired or replaced. Our local full-service dealership serves the area’s drivers with excellent vehicles, deals, and customer service.