How to Conduct a Tire Inspection: All You Need to Know

Have you ever felt that your car rides a bit ‘off’? Maybe it pulls to one side or the ride just isn’t as smooth as it used to be. This could be a sign that your tires aren’t in top shape.

Much like worn shoes can lead to a painful stumble, worn tires can lead to less grip on the road, affecting how your car handles and more importantly, your safety.

In this guide, we’ll help you understand how to properly inspect your tires in a clear and concise way.

Gone will be the days when you have to wonder whether or not you’re safe from your own tires.

With that said, let’s get to inspecting!

How to Properly Inspect Your Tires

Inspecting your tires is an important maintenance task that helps ensure your vehicle’s safety and optimal performance.

Here’s a general guide on how to conduct said inspection:

1. Prepare for the Inspection

Have a tire pressure gauge, tread depth gauge, and a flashlight handy.

Tip

Perform the inspection in a well-lit area, preferably on a flat surface to ensure accurate tire pressure readings.

ALSO CHECK: Is It Bad to Park with a Tire Against the Curb?

2. Visual Inspection

Start by giving all the tires a general inspection, looking for any visible damage such as cuts, punctures, or objects that might be embedded in the tire. 

Next, focus on the sidewalls, checking them closely for any cracks, cuts, bulges, or other irregularities that could suggest internal damage or weakness. 

Finally, examine the tread of each tire, checking for uneven wear patterns, shallow treads, and any signs of foreign objects or surface damage that could affect performance.

3. Tread Depth

Check the depth of the tire tread to ensure it’s sufficient. The minimum legal tread depth is 2/32 inches, but it’s safer to replace tires when they reach 4/32 inches of remaining tread. 

A simple method is the “penny test,” where you insert a penny into the tread with Lincoln’s head upside down; if you can see the top of his head, it’s time to replace the tire​.

ALSO READ: How Much Tire Bead Damage is Too Much?

4. Tire Pressure

Use a tire pressure gauge to check each tire’s pressure, including the spare. 

Ensure they are inflated to the pressure recommended in the vehicle’s owner’s manual or on the placard found in the driver’s door jamb. 

Incorrect pressure can lead to premature wear and handling issues, so you need to adjust the air pressure if necessary, inflating or deflating to the recommended levels.

These are the general steps on how you can safely and properly check your tires. In the next section, we’ll go through the frequency of when you should check them.

RECOMMENDED: Can Hitting a Curb Cause a Flat Tire?

How Often Should You Be Inspecting Your Tires?

Here’s a general idea of when you should check your tires:

Quick Checks

It’s recommended to give your tires a quick visual check every time you use your vehicle. Look for any immediate issues like cuts, punctures, or objects embedded in the tire​.

Monthly Checks

More thorough inspections, including checking tire pressure, tread depth, and overall condition, should be done at least once a month. This helps catch any issues that can lead to premature wear or safety hazards​.

Seasonal Check

At the change of each season, especially from warm to cold weather, checking your tires is crucial as changes in temperature can affect tire pressure and performance​.

Yearly Check

In addition to your own inspections, it is wise to have tires professionally inspected at least once a year or more often if you drive frequently or in harsh conditions. This can be done during routine vehicle maintenance such as oil changes or tire rotations​.

Conclusion

By conducting regular inspections, you not only extend the life of your tires but also enhance your driving experience. It’s comforting to know that the days of uncertainty about your tires’ condition are behind you.

Curbs are one of the main causes of damage to your tires. Aligning this with our topic, we make sure that our customers are well-equipped to inspect and identify any issues.

If you’re interested in reading more on similar topics, don’t hesitate to visit our blog where we discuss various curb and tire-related issues.

Topics such as ‘how to change a tire without a jack‘ and ‘driveway curb too high‘ are quite common here at Smooth Curb.

Contact us if you have any questions, and consider checking out our best-selling product, The Smooth Curb Driveway Curb Ramp, to ensure that your driveway’s curb is well managed.

So, to conclude, with the skills you’ve learned here, you can drive with confidence, knowing that you have taken proactive steps to protect yourself and your passengers.

We hope you’ve learned something new today, and we look forward to seeing you in our next article.

Take care!

FAQs