The Dangers of Driving with Bald or Unbalanced Tires

Not only is vehicle maintenance important to keep your car running, it’s also a safety consideration.  Keeping your tires in tip-top condition is an important aspect of vehicle maintenance that should not be skimped on if you want to be safe on the roads in all weather conditions.

At Yark Collision Center, we have considerable experience of maintaining vehicles to prevent accidents happening on the roads. Here we share some tips on how to spot the signs of bald or unbalanced tires and what you risk if you don’t:

How to Check for Bald Tires

The tread of a tire has to be at least 1/16^th of an inch so that it grips the road in normal conditions and double that if driving in rain or snow. The standard way of testing the tread is to put a penny into the tread so that you can see Lincoln’s face. If you can see the top of his head poking out from the tread, it’s about time to get more tires. The more of Lincoln you see, the balder your tires are becoming.

Bald Tires Safety Risk

• Can result in a blowout because of the deterioration of the tire’s surface
• Handling will be a lot more difficult with bald tires, making your vehicle hard to control
• There is less traction and grip on the road with bald tires, causing your vehicle to slip and skid on the road
• Emergency braking is seriously impaired
• Overall vehicle performance will be lessened with bald tires
• Fuel consumption increases as the engine compensates for loss of traction on the tires

What about Unbalanced Tires?

If the tires of your vehicle aren’t balanced regularly, the tread tends to wear out faster and also unevenly. This will lead to you having to replace your tires sooner than you would otherwise and so it’s important to know when your tires are unbalanced. Generally, if you experience vibration from the chassis when driving, it is likely to be caused by your tires not running smoothly and in-line with each other.

The vibration that’s caused by unbalanced tires can lead to other issues in the engine as bolts and wires are shaken along with the body of the vehicle. Driving on unbalanced tires also increases the risk of blowout as a result of each tire bearing different loads and deteriorating at a different rate. Replacing all your tires is expensive but generally, this becomes necessary if you have driven on unbalanced tires for too long.

Get Your Tires Balanced and Safe on the Road at Yark Collision Center Today!

At Yark Collision Center, we have the experience and expertise to know all aspects of car maintenance and mechanics. We’re always more than happy to share our experience and offer a comprehensive range of services for all types of vehicles. If you need a professional inspection, service or repair, contact Yark Collision Center for a first-class service.