Michelin shares tips on how to know it's time to change tires

In motorsports, each team knows that running with the right type of tires and using it at its best condition is very important to produce optimum results. This same principle applies to the everyday road car not just for producing optimum results for mileage and speed but most importantly, for our safety.

With this in mind, Michelin shared these tips on how to know when it's time to rev up a new set of tires.

Tire Puncture - Running on punctured tires is very risky especially if you’re already on the road as this can cause the tire pressure to drop rapidly. So, make sure that your spare tire is always in good condition to ensure safe motoring. If you see even just one puncture in any part of the tire, install the spare tire to avoid causing further damage to the punctured one. Immediately bring the suspected damaged tire to a professional tire specialist for an accurate tire diagnosis.

Worn tire treads - Tire treads are like the soles of the feet. They are the only contact that the vehicle makes with the road. The deeper the tread, the better resistance to aquaplaning. Michelin recommends changing tires before your tread depth is worn to 1.6mm. (MICHELIN tires have a tread wear indicator at the base of the grooves that help you check the correct depth of the tire tread.) Don’t risk the chance of loosing traction on the highway due to lack of tire traction. Wet roads are especially dangerous.

Damaged sidewalls - The sidewall is literally the side of the tire — the part you see when you're looking at your car from the side. Sidewalls can get damaged when the tire hits a curb during a turn, or when the tire hits a hard and sharp object. A puncture or gouge to this area can affect the air pressure inside the tire, affecting the mileage or fuel efficiency of the car. If your tires have even the slightest damage to the sidewalls, have them inspected right away; seek out the high standards of Michelin-approved methods for tire check-ups at dealers and shops carrying MICHELIN tires for a thorough and complete checking.

Abnormal wear - Sometimes one tire wears out faster than the others. This is most likely caused by improper wheel alignment, leading to abnormal, uneven wear on tires since pressure is not evenly distributed on the wheels. See to it that wheel and tire assembly should always be correctly balanced after mounting new tires or after every vehicle repair. This provides a more comfortable ride and extended tire life.Other abnormal wear or damage to tires may also occur inside the tire. As much as possible, have your tire inspected by a tire specialist.

Aging - Tires age and deteriorate over time, just like everything else. Constant tire check-up is imperative for motorists, even if no major damage like puncture holes or uneven wear is visible.Make sure the treads are still visible because the tire tread is your car’s grip on the road. It has an impact on the distance needed for braking. Hard braking is one of the main causes of excessive wear and tire deterioration. Don’t take the risk of driving on old and worn out tires. Even if they look fine and still usable, Michelin recommends that tires be replaced ten years after their manufacture date. Don’t wait for them to give out!

Use the right type, size, and function of tires for your car - Using the right tires will not only keep your trips safe and your car functioning at top capacity, it will also prolong tire life and improve mileage. One way to find the correct size and tire type for your vehicle is to look at the car manual. You can also check out the Michelin Tire Selector online at www.michelin.com.ph which recommends the most reliable, top-quality tires based on your vehicle make, model, tire size, and the its year of manufactured.

We all want to have a safe trip especially when we have our own family as passengers. So check your tires for the above mentioned signs and if you spot one, head to the nearest shop offering Michelin tires. It's always best to be safe than sorry.