Good tires are a requirement when operating any vehicle. You'll likely need to replace one or all four of them at some point. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car owners purchase as much as 260 million replacement tires each year. Do you need to replace a car tire soon? Here are a few things you should know first.

Size Matters

When it comes to tires, they're not one-size-fits-all. Your tires must be an adequate size for your vehicle. That's why it's always best to go to your local auto professional, who can check the size of your tires. You'll know what size tire to buy to keep as a spare in your trunk.

Uneven Wear Leads to Premature Replacement

As a car driver, you must be aware of keeping wear as even as possible on your tires. If you don't have even wear all around, it can affect how your tire moves your car. It can also happen if your wheels are misaligned or your tires have not been inflated properly. Checking in with your local car tire professionals can help.

Inflation Is Key

It's hard to properly steer your car when your tires aren't adequately inflated. According to Allstate, you should check your tire inflation pressure every month. Regular inspection lets you know if you should keep having your tires inflated or if it's time to replace them.

Check the Tread

Being aware of your tire tread can determine whether it's time for an immediate replacement. When you're driving a car in the United States, your tire tread should be at least 2/32 of an inch deep, according to Progressive. Car tire tread is important because it ensures you have enough traction on the road. Without that traction, your car is susceptible to sliding and not being able to stop appropriately, which could lead to accidents.

Have Inspections

Do you drive your car often on the road, tend to take long road trips, or often go over rough terrain? If so, that can affect how often you may need to have your tread assessed and tires inspected. Whether you're testing it yourself or taking your car to the auto shop, you should do a car tire check at least once a month, as mentioned previously.

Rotation Helps

One of the best ways to extend the life of your tires is with proper rotation. When it comes to how your tires work, remember your front tires are the ones that bear the grunt of your braking so that they may wear out faster. With regular rotation, you can ensure that your tires are getting even work. Otherwise, you may have uneven tread throughout your front and back tires. The general recommendation for car tire rotation, according to Consumer Reports, is to do so at least every 5000 to 8000 miles.

Note the Age

A car tire has an expected lifespan. According to NerdWallet, you should expect to replace your tires around every six years. However, as noted before, the five-year mark is usually a time to do an inspection to see if they're still safe enough to drive on the road.

Look For Vibrations

Does your car start to vibrate when you're on the road? A vibrating car is usually a result of uneven tires. When that tread wears down, it causes your car to vibrate because of the lack of evenness. The problem will continue to get worse as your tread is wearing down more on certain tires. If you continue to drive like that, it may make you feel disorientated and make it hard to focus. At this point, it is usually a sign that you need tire replacement.

As you can see, knowing when to change your car tire is vital. Your tires are responsible for steering and stopping your car as needed. Knowing when to rotate your tires, how much mileage has passed, the age of your tires, and so on can all play a role in knowing that replacement is imminent. Luckily, you don't have to handle this independently, as you have professional auto specialists to handle it for you. Visit us at Tires Plus so we can give you the necessary tire replacement.