Does Your CDJR Need New Tires? Visit Your Dealer

Tires are one of the most important car parts to keep in tip-top condition at all times. If your tires become damaged or excessively worn out, you’re at risk of experiencing a blowout or skid on the road. With this in mind, here are the most common warning signs of tire trouble. You can have new tires promptly installed at your local CDJR dealer.

Does Your CDJR Need New Tires? Visit Your Local Dealership Today

Diminished Tread Depths

Most new tires start with 10/32 or 11/32 of an inch in tread depth. Over time, tire treads naturally wear down. Once the treads of your car’s tires are near 2/32 of an inch, it’s time for a new set of tires. This is the minimum legal tread depth for tires in most US states, including Hawaii.

During Hawaii’s rainy season from November to March, consider replacing your tires before the treads become this shallow. Deep tread voids are necessary to displace water, thereby reducing the risk of hydroplaning: the sudden loss of traction on puddles of water. In other words, deeper treads grip wet roads more firmly.

How To Measure Your Tire’s Tread Depths

It’s advisable to measure the depths of your tire treads frequently. You can do so with a tread-depth gauge. If you don’t have a gauge, you can carry out a simple penny test.

The penny test involves inserting a penny coin into the deepest part of your tire’s treads with Lincoln’s head facing downward. If you can see all of Lincoln’s head, it means the tread void is 2/32 of an inch or shallower, and it’s time for new tires.

Inexplicable Air Loss

Both over-inflated and under-inflated tires can become a safety hazard, potentially leading to skids or sudden blowouts. It’s important to check the pressure of your tires at least once a month. While doing so, pay attention to inexplicable air loss in any of your tires. Gradually leaking air might indicate a concealed puncture, a dented wheel rim, or a damaged air valve.

With a leaking tire, your road safety is threatened. Either the under-inflation or the hidden structural damage could lead to an accident. It’s best to have the tire inspected and repaired or replaced by a trusted technician at your nearest CDJR dealership.

Bulges in the Tire Rubber

If you notice a bulge in the rubber of a tire, that tire is probably no longer secure. Bulges often indicate an internal puncture where air has become trapped between the internal and external layers of rubber.

Such a puncture might be caused by a heavy impact with a pothole or curb. For this reason, it’s always best to check your tires carefully after experiencing a significant bump while driving.

Irreparable Cuts or Punctures

Driving over sharp objects at speed can cause gashes or punctures in tire rubber. A shallow nick might be nothing to worry about, but a lengthy or particularly deep cut should be a cause for concern, as should any embedded object.

Hazardous tire damage can be caused by nails, screws, broken glass, sharp rocks, or vandalism. A skillful technician at your CDJR dealer may be able to repair a cut or punctured hole. However, many cuts and punctures mean the tire needs to be replaced.

Too Many Cracks in the Sidewalls

Tire rubber tends to dry out over time, causing hairline cracks to appear in the sidewalls. If these cracks begin to spread and deepen alarmingly, your tire may be experiencing sidewall weathering, also known as dry rot.

This kind of damage can be exacerbated by the intense heat and direct sunlight that vehicles in Hawaii are often exposed to. Tires with excessively cracked sidewalls are structurally weakened and usually need to go.

Visible Steel or Fabric Cords

The rigid structure of car tires is usually reinforced by cotton, synthetic, or Kevlar strands along with steel cords. With a well-maintained tire, you should never be able to see these internal materials. If fabric or steel ever becomes visible through a cut or crack, it’s time for new tires.

Unusually Loud Road Noise

Damaged, uneven, or under-inflated car tires often cause excessive road noise. This usually becomes noticeable as most drivers are accustomed to the ordinary sounds of their cars.

If you suspect unusually loud road noise one day, trust your senses and carefully inspect your tires; you may need to install replacements. You can turn off your stereo and open your windows to listen more carefully to the sound of your tires against the tarmac.

Tires Getting Too Old

Even if your tires appear to be in good condition, it’s unwise to use them beyond the manufacturer’s stated expiration date. Always check the manufacturer’s maximum age recommendation and replace your tires when it’s time. The age limit of tires is often six years, although tires can sometimes be safely used for up to ten years.

Excessively Uneven Tires

As you drive, the pressure put on your car’s tires by the weight of your car isn’t evenly distributed. Unbalanced weight at the front and rear of the vehicle, pressure from braking, rotation from steering, and other factors cause car tires to wear down unevenly over time. This issue can sometimes be worsened by misaligned wheels or suspension problems.

Uneven tires can become dangerous, causing additional road friction, reduced handling, and increased risk of blowouts and skids. Uneven tire wear can usually be kept in check with regular tire rotation at your nearest CDJR dealership. However, if your tires have become too uneven for rotation to remedy, you may need to have new tires installed.

Schedule Routine Tire Servicing and Rotation at Your CDJR Dealership

One of the best ways to keep your tires in road-worthy condition is to have them rotated and serviced frequently. When a technician services and rotates your tires, they check each tire carefully for signs of wear and tear or hidden damage.

Have your car’s tires serviced, repaired, or replaced today at Cutter Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram FIAT. Our local full-service dealership offers an excellent range of new and used vehicles and top-notch vehicle maintenance and servicing for the drivers of Honolulu, HI.