Your Guide to Car Tires

If you’re like most car owners, you probably don’t pay a lot of attention to your tires.

Sure, you know they’re important. After all, you wouldn’t get too far without them, would you? Still, though, they’re not something you think about on a regular basis. Unless you get a flat, they don’t ever really cross your mind. Maybe you don’t even notice when they’re balding and in need of replacement.

The thing is, your vehicle’s tires are incredibly important. When you think about it, they’re an essential part of your car. It’s not just that you can’t get anywhere without functioning tires: they’re also critical to your safety while you’re out on the open road.

Granted, if you’re looking to sell a junk car, the state of the vehicle’s tires isn’t all that important. But, if you’re a vehicle owner and you’re trying to keep up with maintenance on your car, understanding your tires is essential. That’s why we’ve put together this quick guide to car tires. Keep reading to learn more.

Types of Tires: Winter Vs. Summer

Maybe you’ve heard of winter tires, but aren’t sure what they are or how they differ from standard tires. Or, maybe you didn’t even know that different types of tires exist! If you live down south in Georgia, you probably have never had to worry about snow tires. Either way, don’t worry: we’ll explain.

Summer tires really ought to be called “spring to fall” tires, as that’s what they’re designed for. They’re usually meant to function well in a variety of conditions: cool weather, hot weather, rainy weather, dry weather, on and on. They’re fairly versatile, and in some parts of the country they’re all you need.

Winter tires are different. These tires are designed for very specific conditions: ice, snow, slush, and extreme cold. They’re made of a softer material than summer tires, which allows them to grip the road better. They also wear down faster for this reason; but, since you’re only using them in the winter, they’ll generally still last for quite some time.

There’s also a difference in tread. Winter tires come equipped with a special tread, and sometimes even with studs. This allows them to cut through slush and snow better.

Tire Manufacturer Dates

Did you know that there’s a manufacturing date on tires?

When you go to buy tires, it’s important to check their date. Don’t purchase tires that have been sitting on the shelf for a couple of years. To date a tire, simply take a look at the sidewall where a range of info is written (such as recommended PSI, model number, and so on). You’ll see the letters “DOT” written there, followed by 4 numbers. The first two numbers correspond to which week of the year (1 to 52) the tire was manufactured. The second pair of numbers is the year of manufacture. So, 0215 would mean that a tire was manufactured in January 2015.

Worn Tread

We all know that tires eventually need to be replaced. Unfortunately, many people fail to check the tread on their tires. This can result in dangerously worn tires being used on the open road. Keep an eye on your tread, and be sure to replace your tires once the tread is less than 5/32” deep.

Of course, if you’ve got an old junk car on your hands, it’s probably not worth the expense of replacing its tires. Instead, why not sell your junk car for cash? Contact Junk Car Traders today to find out just how much your junk car is worth!