In order to maintain the performance, the quality, and, most of all, the safety of your car, it is important to ensure that the tires are in great working condition. No matter how well you maintain the tires, they will give in to wear and tear eventually, so you need to replace them when they do.

Let’s take a look at two key steps that are important parts of the car tire safety checklist to determine whether the tires need to be replaced:

Determining tread integrity
Tire treads top the car tire safety checklist as they help keep water away from the rubber and enhance grip on wet roads. If the tread is 0.16 cm or less, the tire needs replacement, but tread laws differ from state to state and country to country, so you must be well informed about the laws in your state. Next, check the wear bar. Most, if not all, tires come with wear bars that are, essentially, ridges on the tread. When these bars become even with the tread, it’s time to replace the tires. You can also perform the Lincoln Penny Test. Drive the tires over a penny with Lincoln’s head facing up. If the head goes all the way into the ground, you do not have to replace the tires. Another way to determine tread integrity is to employ a tread depth indicator. Place the probe on the groove of the tire at the center of the groove, toward the edge of the tread, and then check the gauge of the tread depth indicator. Check in several places on the tire and calculate the average. If the depth is less than 0.16 cm, the tires must be replaced. Ensure that the probe is not placed on any of the raised surfaces on the tire.

Examine tire damage
If you notice wear and tear other than the usual, bring the car in for a check. Tires can exhibit irregular wear and tear if the wheels need to be aligned, if the tires need rotation, or if the tires have improper inflation pressure. Ensure that you get the suspension checked ; if the wheels are not aligned properly or if the suspension is not up to standard, the tires get worn out faster. If you are rotating the tires, rotate them in pairs and ensure that both the front wheels go back and both the rear wheels come to the front. Look for anything on the tires that appear like bulges or cracks, especially on the sidewall. Another thing on the car tire safety checklist that must be ensured is to never drive with a bulge on the sidewall because it indicates that the air pressure has reached the outer layers, which could cause a blowout. A bulge usually forms when the car is driven over potholes or curbs or when it is driven with tires on low pressure. If the steering wheel tends to vibrate, it is because the tires have uneven wear and tear on them. If the steering wheel vibrates even after the balance is done, the tires need to be replaced. Also, ensure that you check tires for dry rot, especially if you tend to leave the car out in the sun.