If you think that only a technician can inspect the condition of your tires, you are sorely mistaken. You can do it yourself, just keeping in mind some basic recommendations. It is not necessary to run every week to a technical service center. You can do it only after you detect irregularities with your tires.
It is important to inspect the tires regularly. Some deviations can be "silent". That is, they can damage your tire without giving too much notice. Regular inspection, respectively, helps you prevent severe tire damage, as well as avoid potential punctures, or even worse, flat tires and blowouts in the middle of the road.
I have compiled here an easy and clear guide so that you know how to inspect your tires correctly, without leaving out even one aspect. So, check out how you can inspect them carefully to spot any potential irregularity.
#1 Quick But Cautious Look
First things first. There is no need to disassemble the entire construction of the car to estimate the condition of the tires. It is enough just to inspect it from all around, drawing attention to unusual swellings, sidewall and shoulder cracks, color spots, or tiny protruding objects.
#2 Look At The Tire Interior
The first step wasn't difficult at all, was it? The next step is just as simple. It is about a view from an inside angle, that is, from under the car. Don't be lazy to sit on your knee and inspect the inside of the tires. Observe if there are no damaged or deformed areas. As a rule, irregularities in the interior of the car are immediately apparent. So if there is something you need to notice, you will surely notice it.
#3 Lift The Car Up
Whether we like it or not, the car needs to be lifted from time to time, even if this means that we have to contact a specialist. Once you lift the car, you have to pay attention to the interior details that are not visible to the naked eye. At this stage, it is good to inspect the tires as carefully as possible from all points of view: the links with the suspension system, the internal and external details, any alignment issues, and the contact between the tire and the rim. So, you need to check everything you can to make sure that the tires are in an acceptable condition.
#4 Inspect The Tire Tread
Once you are in front of the tires of your car, you must also check the depth of the treads. Do not skip this step in the false hope that the depth is still acceptable. Take a penny, if you don't have other checking tools, and insert it with the upper part into the depth of the tread (Lincoln's head must enter the tread). If the upper part of the head does not go into the depth of the tire, for sure you need to get a set of new tires. If the tire covers only a small part of Lincoln's head, you can start preparing for a new set that you will need soon.
The idea is that you should not leave the tire depth unverified. The depth can be very deceiving and it may seem to you that you still have enough depth, when, in fact, the depth is much too shallow, which puts your safety on the road at risk.
#5: Check Tire Tread Depth
It is not enough to check the depth of only one tire, making assumptions for the other 3. Keep in mind that tires wear differently from each other. If you haven't rotated your tires on time, there is a high probability that your tires will have uneven wear. And this for sure means that at least 2 of your wheels are more worn than the others. You may not need to change all of them, but only 2 of them. Either way, it will be clearer to you only if you inspect the depth of all the tires.
#6 Shake And Pull The Tires
While your car is still lifted, you have to move the wheels from side to side, as well as up and down. So, you test their movement from all points of view to see how steady they are attached to the system and if their components are not too loose. If the movements around the wheel suggest looseness, the wheel bearings may be impacted leading to early tire wear. It is possible to detect other irregularities. For this reason, it is good to have a technician next to you who can tell you what solutions you have.
#7 Lower The Vehicle Back
That's about all you have to do while the car is lifted. These steps are fundamental for a quick and general inspection of the condition of your tires. Carefully and cautiously, take the vehicle off the jack stands and bring it back to the ground. It's not a bad idea to roll it a little forward and back to make sure that the steering gets back into alignment. This step is not mandatory, but if you decide to commit to the inspection process, take one more step to complete it.
#8 Tire Pressure Checkup
I congratulate you if you have not detected any major irregularities in your tires. This means that you are responsible and careful while driving. To finish the inspection process, all that's left is to adjust the pressure in each tire. Don't forget that temperature changes might affect your tires. Use the pressure pump on all the tires, check the existing level, and add pressure where necessary. Do not exaggerate the level of pressure neither too much nor too little. The vehicle manufacturers have indicated the optimal pressure on the door jamb and you must never go beyond these limits.
Tire Inspection: FAQs
What Is TIRE Inspection?
Tire inspection means checking the "health" of the tires. Drivers should check them at least once a month to detect potential damages at an early stage. The inspection involves checking the tread of the 4 tires, their condition on the inside, the depth of the tread, the pressure in them, and the potential signs of bulges, cracks, and nails. This allows the driver to prevent the aggravation of the damage and to keep the tire in optimal condition for a safe ride.
How Often Should You Check Your Tires?
There is no golden rule for the frequency of tire inspections. You do it depending on how much you care about your tires and your car. Personally, I visually inspect the tires every morning. Of course, I don't lift it every time, but at least I look around to make sure that none of the tires are punctured. At the same time, I look under the car every morning to make sure there are no leaks under the car or objects that could impact the system once I start driving.
The optimal frequency for lifting the car is once every 2 months, or more often if the circumstances require it. Some car owners drive on such difficult roads that they need an inspection every week. So, take into account the conditions in which you usually drive. Experts say that checking the pressure is welcome once a month unless something suggests that there might be some pressure issues.
Do New Tires Need Frequent Inspection?
I don't see how new tires are different from worn ones. Their condition is indeed better, and you probably won't need to inspect the depth of the tread so frequently. But their assembly or damage due to small objects takes place in the same way as with used tires. In the same context, keep in mind that technicians are not magicians. They might be experts, but they still can make mistakes inadvertently. So, yes, new tires need frequent inspection just like used ones do.
What If My Tires Seem Okay?
Don't forget that you are an amateur and not a professional in the field. You might miss something. For this reason, be careful with the "language" that your car speaks. If you notice vibrations or sounds while driving, something is certainly wrong even if you have not detected any issue. In such cases, do not rely on the fact that you did not detect anything in the visual inspection. Better take the vehicle to an expert.
Why Is A Tire Inspection Important?
Imagine that you are preparing for a marathon and choose a pair of flip-flops for it. How likely is it that you will resist this marathon and that your flip-flops will help you to this end? It is highly unlikely. The same happens with your tires. If their condition is not "healthy", your driving experience will be deficient, non-performing, and dangerous. Incorrect pressure in them will impact handling, cornering, and braking capabilities - which can put your safety at risk. Tire inspection allows you to detect damages at an early stage and take measures regarding them. This way, you protect yourself and prevent further tire damage.
How Do You Check Safety On Tires?
The condition of the tread plays an essential role in the degree of safety that the tires offer you. If the tread is worn, the tires do not provide enough grip and safe braking distance. To ensure a safe tread, you can use the Penny Test with a coin. If the coin enters the tire tread covering Lincoln's head, it means that your tire is still safe to use. If the head remains outside, your tires are not safe at all and it is recommended to replace them as soon as possible.
How Often Should You Inspect Your Tires?
The more often you inspect your tires, the more confident you are in your safe driving. Well, in general, you should check your tires at least once a month. The pressure, condition, and depth of the tread should be a monthly routine for any responsible driver. As for lifting your vehicle for inner tire inspection, you could do this procedure every time you rotate or align your tires.
What Are The Three Things To Check On Tires?
3 aspects are indispensable when it comes to your tire check. These are your pressure levels in all 4 tires, the tread depth, and signs for damage like bulges, cracks, and cuts. We recommend checking these 3 aspects especially when planning a long trip to ensure that you will arrive at your destination safe and sound.
Why Trust Us?
The tires of the vehicle determine its degree of safety, driving confidence on different terrains, and competitive performance in different weather conditions. Thus, choosing the right tire that can provide all these aspects is crucial for every driver. Here is where NeoTires comes into play. Our qualified team has enough experience to recommend the right tires to help you cope with any conditions.
Our trained assistants and qualified mechanics have been active in this industry for more than 10 years. With such a background, we ensure the quality of the services and products we offer. Here at NeoTires, we evaluate, test, and compare our tires from different performance perspectives to know their capabilities and behavior in various conditions.
Further on, we share everything we know about them with our clients so that each driver can make the best match between our products and his driving needs. Rely on NeoTires professionals because our goal is to improve your driving experience and eliminate any risk associated with the wrong tires. In addition, you will be pleasantly surprised by our pricing policy, which is very competitive. Drive safe and choose your tires wisely!
