Tires have to be built to exacting standards, but their vulcanized, rugged exteriors aren’t perfect. If your tires are old, you may start to see signs of cracking – a clear warning that a tire is past its prime. The hot summer weather can turn those cracks into tire failure.

Besides cracks, you should check your tires for other signs of trouble. If you see the wear bars in the tread of your tire, you need new tires immediately!

So before the long trip this summer, or even just before you head out on your daily commute, check those tires!

Click here to find out more about how to read the date codes on your tire, and check for signs of wear.

When buying tires two at a time, customers often ask if the new tires will perform best in the front or the back. Perhaps surprisingly, in general, the answer is that new tires perform best in the back – even on a front-wheel drive car. It may sound crazy, but it’s true!

Tires with brand new treads, mounted on the front-end, will help with starting traction in snow or other slippery conditions. But in those same types of conditions, having worn tires in the back can cause the rear-end to slide out when maneuvering or stopping. Once the rear wheels begin to slide, the car is much harder to control, increasing the chance of an accident. But since the front wheels can be steered, you have a much better chance of regaining control if the front wheels slide than if the rear wheels slide.

We recommend that you replace all four tires when it’s time to, but if you can’t, put the new tires on the back!

• Cracking or cuts in the sidewalls.
• Uneven tread wear. This can be caused by improper inflation, misaligned wheels, damaged tires, or by problems with suspension parts.
• Excessively worn tread. Most modern tires have tread-wear indicator bars running across the tread, which signal the minimum allowable tread depth of 1/16-inch. When the tread wears down to these bars, it’s time for new tires. Inexpensive tread-wear gauges are available at auto-parts and tire stores.
• Bulges or blisters. If you see a bulge or blister on the sidewall, replace the tire at once. These signal potential weak spots that could lead to tire failure.
• Excessive vibration. Tire vibration may be a sign a wheel is misaligned, unbalanced, or bent. It could also signify internal tire damage. Don’t ignore vibration: Have the vehicle serviced at once.

If yes, then according to Consumer Reports, your tires are exhibiting early warning signs of tire failure.  Stop by Frank’s Tire for a new set of tires to keep yourself and your family safe!

Continental Winter Tires are available at Frank’s Tire Service. Call, stop by, or click the link below to find out more!

Temperatures Are Dropping: Time to Make the Switch to Continental Winter Tires

Be safe: Check age of tire before buying

Will low-profile tires wear out faster than normal height tires?

Fix a flat, jump a battery, and fill up a radiator