When it comes to car maintenance, your tires are often overlooked. While you may change your oil regularly, and often replace things like engine filters and lightbulbs, you may not think about your tires – and this can lead to some serious problems.
Tires usually last around 3-4 years, but their lifespan can be shortened if you drive more than 12,000-15,000 miles per year, or drive in rough weather conditions or off-road.
Your Ford Canada tires are absolutely critical to the overall condition of your car – and with damaged, punctured, or worn tires, you may be at serious risk. Here are just a few of the ways that damaged or worn-out tires can put your car (and your life) in danger!
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Longer Braking Distances
Your tires are where the rubber meets the road – literally. Even if your brakes are in great shape, your tires must also be in good condition to ensure safe braking. If your tires are worn out or damaged, they will not contact the road as efficiently, which leads to a much longer braking distance
This can be dangerous in emergency situations, such as coming to a stop on the highway. A worn tire could result in your vehicle failing to stop in time, and becoming involved in a serious accident.
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Poor Performance In Rough Weather
A worn out tire increases your risk of “hydroplaning”. Hydroplaning occurs when water is unable to escape from the grooves of your tires, resulting in your car “sliding” across the surface of the water – rather than the road.
Hydroplaning is the leading cause of accidents in wet, rainy weather, and old or worn out tires can increase your risk of this issue.
Worn tires also are not as effective when navigating snow and ice, due to their shallow grooves. They cannot shed ice and snow properly, which can lead to sliding, slipping, and other serious issues when navigating wintry weather.
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Increased Blowout Risk
Tires that are worn out, have been worn unevenly, or even have been damaged by a puncture or another serious issue have a much higher risk of a blowout. A blowout occurs when the interior of the tire fails suddenly, resulting in an explosion of air pressure. This can result in a tire becoming shredded and ripped, and the sudden loss of vehicle control.
Experiencing a blowout at a high speed is incredibly dangerous, and can easily result in totaling your car, or serious injuries.
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Poor Responsiveness Due To Low Air Pressure
Low air pressure can be caused by a tire with a small puncture, which constantly vents air into the atmosphere. Low tire pressure impacts your car in a variety of ways.
It reduces fuel economy significantly, put more strain on your tire, unbalances your vehicle, and even affects how your car handles. Your car may feel “slushy” or unresponsive when you try to steer – which can be dangerous in an emergency situation.
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Risk Of Heat Buildup And Tire Failure
Your tire treads provide a barrier between the road surface and your tires. By raising the bulk of your tire away from direct road contact, heat buildup due to friction is reduced, and the tire can be cooled.
Tires that are “bald” and worn-down no longer have these deep grooves. This can cause significant heat buildup, and damage to the tire. In turn, this damage can result in catastrophic tire failure.
Get The Tire Repair And Replacement You Need – And Stay Safe!
If you think your tires may be worn or damaged, don’t risk getting hurt, or allowing your car to be damaged in an accident.
If your tires are cracking, have little tread left, or you suspect they may be otherwise failing, get them replaced ASAP – and keep yourself safe!