Worn tires are one one the main causes of accidents. Healthy tires make stopping easier and faster, while damaged tires are more likely to prevent you from stopping in time. As your Nissan dealer, we can repair or replace your tires when they’re worn. We’d like you to know a few signs you need to visit us for new tires.
Lincoln Penny Test
Adequate tire tread is essential for driving safety. Healthy tread ensures the tires can grip the surface and provide traction. The tread is subject to constant friction with the surface, and as the tread wears down, vehicle handling will become slightly more difficult. Your braking distance will also increase, and this makes an accident more likely.
You can test your tread depth using a Lincoln penny. Insert the penny upside down into the thickest part of the tread. If you can only see part of Lincoln’s face, your tread is healthy. If you can see Lincoln’s head up to the hairline, your tread is worn. Finally, if you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, your tread is severely worn, and your tire needs replacement. We can quickly replace any worn tires and balance them.
Tire Bulge
A tire bulge looks like a raised lump or blister on the surface. They are more common on the sidewall, the tire section parallel to the sidewalk, but they can occur on any part of a tire. A bulge can be forced if the tire’s internal structure breaks down or if part of the tire has been pinched against a hard object. The bulge is filled with air, and this makes it potentially dangerous.
The air inside a tire heats up when you drive due to surface friction. The extra air in the bulge stretches the rubber, and as the tire expands due to increased internal pressure, the bulge can rupture in a blowout. We can’t repair a tire with internal damage, but we can replace it so you can drive safely again.
Uneven Wear
Tires suffer damage from friction but can also be damaged by alignment or balance issues or even by their position on your vehicle. Wheel alignment is the angle of your tires relative to the axle, and this can change over time as you drive. Tire balance is the weight distribution inside the tire, and it should be centered to provide the best traction and the lowest friction damage.
Your tires will suffer increased wear on certain sections depending on their position on your Nissan. These damaged sections will continue to wear and can lead to leaks or a blowout. Our technicians can correct any of these issues, and we’ll replace any tires damaged by these problems.
If you have a damaged tire, visit the experts today at Banister Nissan of Norfolk in Norfolk, VA.
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