Tire Dealers Spell Out the Dangers of Worn Tread

Posted: Feb 08, 2012
Author: Country Town Tire & Auto Service Center

It’s a harsh fact that two out of every three drivers in America have no idea how to check if their tires need replacing, and at least one in ten vehicles is on the road with one or more bald tires. Tire dealers report that under-inflated tires and worn-out treads are responsible for many serious road accidents. Remember, tires are the only things that keep you connected to the road!

Modern tires have wear bars, which run across the tread. These important bars signal the minimum tread allowance of one-sixth of an inch. Wear bars approach the tread surface as grooves get shallow. A tread-depth gauge shows tire wear accurately.

Photo showing how to use tread-depth gauge to test tire tread:

Consequences of worn tires include:

• A build-up of heat: Heat can cause tires to wear out quicker and lead to tire failure.
• Tire balance and wheel alignment: Unbalanced tires or incorrect wheel alignment can be caused by worn tires.
• Punctures: Worn tread on tires increases the risk of punctures or even dangerous tire blowouts.
• Under-inflation: Worn-out tires are often likely to be under-inflated. This can affect braking and steering and increase fuel consumption.
• Hydroplaning: As your tires become worn, their ability to resist hydroplaning is greatly reduced.This can occur with roughly 5/32 of an inch of tread remaining.

Selecting the best tires for your car is as important as selecting the right vehicle. All motor vehicles require four good-quality tires to ensure safety on the road, so ask the professional tire dealers for their advice.