How Often Should You Replace Your Car’s Tires?
Maintaining a motor vehicle is the perfect real-world application of the phrase “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Spending a few hundred dollars on your car every year may seem excessive—especially if it doesn’t necessarily add any major upgrades to the vehicle—but it could be far better than the alternative, which is accumulating hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages in a catastrophic collision.
In order to reduce the risk of a car accident due to a mechanical failure or preventable malfunction, you should perform regular preventive maintenance. Essential tasks include:
- Checking the fluids;
- Inspecting the timing and serpentine belts and replacing them as needed;
- Checking the oil and changing it as needed;
- Checking the battery and cleaning the contacts;
- Replacing the windshield wipers;
- Replacing the engine air filter;
- Rotating and balancing the tires and checking their alignment; and
- Replacing the spark plugs as needed.
When it comes to preventing crashes, one of the most important maintenance tasks is replacing your tires periodically. Bald tires are literally an accident waiting to happen; slick roads or sudden stop-and-go traffic are all it takes for a motorist to lose control of a car with bald tires.
If you were hurt in a collision with a negligent driver, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost income, and non-economic damages. To discuss your case and determine if you have grounds for a claim, turn to Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers.
Our legal team has the skill, experience, and determination to take on even the most intimidating and resourceful opponents. Call 800-522-6733 to schedule a free consultation with a car wreck attorney in Marksville.
How Often Should You Replace Your Car’s Tires?
According to Consumer Reports, nearly 10 percent of motor vehicle collisions are tire-related and could be prevented with proper maintenance. For this reason, car owners should inspect their tires every month for wear and tear.
You can test the actual tire tread by inserting an upside-down quarter into one of the major grooves. If the tread reaches up to the top of George Washington’s head, that means you have approximately 4/32 inch of tread left, and the tires will need to be replaced soon. If the tread does not even reach to the top of Washington’s head, you should replace the tires immediately.
How long your new tires will last depends on a variety of factors, including your driving habits, monthly mileage, local road conditions, and local weather patterns. Because the materials used to make tires can disintegrate over time, Michelin recommends replacing all tires—including spares—every 10 years, regardless if they pass the tread test.
If you sustained debilitating injuries in a crash with a motorist who was driving on bald tires, turn to Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers to determine the most strategic way to proceed. Our legal team has 350 years of experience combined and the manpower to beat any large corporation. Contact us online or call 800-522-6733 to schedule a free case evaluation with an auto accident lawyer in Marksville.
