Every vehicle is made up of hundreds of working parts. The entire weight of the vehicle and its occupants have held safely on the road thanks to four sturdy pieces of rubber. Regular driving, the weather, and road conditions all contribute to tire wear. This wear is absolutely normal, but there comes a point when new tires are essential. If you continue driving on worn or damaged tires, you will face a number of risks.
Braking with worn tires
If your tires are worn beyond the limits deemed safe, this can have a serious effect on the braking ability of your car. Worn tires have far less tread, which can be further worsened by uneven tire wear. When braking with worn tires, it can easily result in a loss of control. Not being able to stop in time can obviously result in accidents of varying degrees depending on your initial speed.
Worn tires on wet roads
Driving during wet conditions presents a number of additional risks, including visibility. Not to mention the fact that roads tend to become particularly slippery. The tread on your tires plays an essential role when it comes to dispersing water so that your tires are still in contact with the road. Insufficient tread means that water is not properly dispersed, which results in hydroplaning. In other words, your car will slide on the water and losing control is extremely common. Rain is not the only form of precipitation that can increase the risks of driving on worn tires. Snow and ice also make for dangerous driving conditions. In such cases, it’s important to make sure that your tires are not excessively worn and that they are suitable for the current weather conditions.
Vulnerability to punctures
This should go without saying but, the greater the wear, the more vulnerable your tires are to damage and punctures. This can lead to sudden blowouts, which are certainly not a pleasant experience for the driver, their passengers, and other road users. The rubber on newer tires is thicker and, therefore, more resistant to such damage.
Loss of tire pressure
New tires are not only new on the outside, but on the inside, too. The complete integrity of the tire is far stronger than that of an old, worn tire. Which is why old, worn tires tend to lose pressure so much easier than new ones. Low tire pressure can have several effects including poor fuel economy, difficulty braking and steering, and even blowouts. If your tires are under-inflated, this may not be visible without verifying the tire pressure. Even in minor cases, you may notice an increase in fuel consumption, or that your steering wheel is a bit more difficult to turn.
Safety of all road users
Old, worn, and damaged tires are not only a danger to you, but they also put your passengers at risk. Not to mention other road users and even pedestrians. When you experience a blowout or lose control due to worn tires, you could easily end up damaging public or private property. Not to mention the risk to human life. No matter how you look at it, driving with worn tires is simply not worth the risk.
When replacing the tires on your vehicle, it’s important to make sure that you select the type and size to suit your needs. Each tire has its own benefits, which is why consulting with a tire expert is the best way to find that perfect fit. For professional tire services at affordable prices, call our mobile service at (647) 745-0930. Our team at Tire Change is available throughout the Greater Toronto Area, so book an appointment online today!