Looking for Tires in Colorado Springs? 

Before you go searching all over to tire shops in Colorado Springs, you should make sure you know whether or not you need new ones. Hopefully, most companies you find will be reputable and give you an honest assessment. But it’s not a bad idea to arm yourself with a little knowledge before you go. 

How do you know when you need new tires? 

4 questions to ask to know whether you need new tires in Colorado Springs:

1. How old are your tires? 

Did you know tires get old even if you don’t drive your car! The rubber starts to deteriorate from sun, pollution, and changes in the temperature/humidity as the seasons transition. It’s best to begin checking your tires after 5 years as most last about 6 years. No matter how often you use your car, according to Car & Driver, tires aren’t meant to be driven beyond 10 years.

You can ask your mechanic to check them for you when you get an oil change or have regular maintenance service done. Although shrugging off your questions about the condition of your vehicle might be common at other tire shops in Colorado Springs, our mechanics at Mile High can always answer your questions and check your tires for you! 

Do you know how to find out your tire’s expiration date? Every tire has a 9 – 10 digit DOT number stamped on the sidewall of the tire that indicates the manufacturer, as well as the date the tire was made. The last four digits are the date code; the first 2 of the code are the week the tire was made, and the last 2 of the code are the year, e.g., 4813 is the 48th week of 2013 or the middle of November 2013. 

Keep in mind that tires in Colorado Springs may need to be changed much sooner than 6 – 10 years if you are seeing other damage. Our harsh weather conditions, intense sun, and salt and sand on the roads during the winter can cause quicker deterioration. Look at these other telltale signs to know when it’s time to change. 

2. How deep is your tire tread? 

You may have heard of the penny test or the quarter test to check how much of your tire tread is left. Using Lincoln’s head on an upside-down penny was previously the standard to measure 2/32” from the penny’s edge to the top of his head. Using a quarter is now recommended by Tirerack as well as Auto Week. The top of Washington’s head on an upside-down quarter is 4/32” away from the edge which is a safer amount of tire tread for driving. 

You may be asking why tire tread matters, after all, race car drivers can safely drive at top speeds with no tread at all. It’s true, tires don’t require much tread depth on dry roads, but you need tread depth and design so you can get traction on wet, snowy, or slushy roadways – a common occurrence in Colorado Springs!

If you travel through Colorado during the winter, you can actually get a ticket without the proper tire depth. When passing over I-70 through the mountains, your tire depth is required to be, at minimum, 4/32”. If it’s over 6/32” you can even travel without chains. 

3. Do you have uneven tread or bald spots?

If you haven’t regularly had your tires aligned and rotated in the past, you may be wearing through them unevenly. Bald spots or smooth areas between the tire edge and center of the tread indicate that the wheel is out of balance. For your safety, it’s time to get new tires from a Colorado Springs service center. You can avoid this replacement too soon by getting your tires balanced periodically to decrease uneven wear. 

If you see any swelling or a smooth part bubbling out on the tread or the sidewall of the tire, do not delay. Immediately get the tire replaced. This type of damage can blow while traveling at high speeds, causing a dangerous accident and damage to your vehicle. 

And by all means, if you see wire sticking through, you need new tires!

4. Do you feel any vibration?

The majority of vibration issues are the result of either the wheels or tires being out of balance in some way. This means that either the metal part of the wheel is bent or the rubber tire is not completely and truly round. Even the slightest tire defect can affect today’s cars. When tires are misaligned, it will cause premature wear on your tires. 

The other indicator of vibrations is an issue with the suspension system. If you don’t replace your bad shocks or struts then you will prematurely wear out your tires. 

If you’re tired of the gimmicks at other tire shops, Colorado Springs is home to Mile High Car Company who is always ready to help with your tire needs. Contact us today to take care of your tires or any other service-related need for your vehicle. Our ASE-certified technicians can handle almost any problem you may have!