You can't drive a car without reliable tires. Like any other car feature, your tires may need repair or replacement. Here are reasons to visit an auto body repair professional for new ones.

1. Cracks

Your tires can develop cracks over time. Cracked tires can happen with age. According to Simple, tire cracks will develop on a surface as flexibility declines. Your tires can lose flexibility due to too much exposure to UV light and exposure to various chemicals. It's a good idea to store your vehicle in a clean environment, such as a well-maintained garage, as opposed to leaving it outside.

2. Age

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, as many as 260 million tires are replaced every year. Even if your tires haven't suffered recent damage, it's a good idea to replace them between six and ten years of age. Don't be afraid to replace your tires, even if they're only a year or two old if they have signs of visible damage.

3. Tread

Stay aware of how much tire tread you have. The tread is the amount of rubber on the outermost layer of the tire. This part has direct contact with the road and is the first part to become worn down. Without proper tread, your tires won't have proper traction and grip on the road. As a result, it can affect your steering performance, especially in inclement weather. Attempting to drive with extremely worn-down tread can affect the safety of you and anyone else in your car. A simple way to test your tread length is with the Lincoln head Penny Test. Insert a penny into a groove. If all the head disappears, your tread has worn down to the point where you need replacement.

4. Vibrations

Have you noticed unusual vibrations when you drive? There are a few reasons that may happen, one of which is tire problems such as uneven tread on the front wheels if you don't have your tires rotated properly. Uneven wear can create lopsidedness when you steer. A vibrating car can be distracting and affect your focus on the road, so you should seek auto body repair immediately.

Strong, healthy tires are essential to safe driving. So note the above reasons why you may need replacement and do so in a timely fashion. Visit our team at Nickole Auto Body today for auto body repair, tire replacement, paintwork, and more.