Tires receive natural wear and tear over the course of their lives, meaning one day you will have to replace them. Otherwise, you run the risk of your tires going flat or losing control of your vehicle during a blowout. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that tire failure causes nearly 11,000 car accidents each year.

You can avoid tire-related accidents and flat tires by learning what signs indicate your tires need to be replaced. Look for the following signs to know when it’s time to buy new tires.

1. Worn Treads

One of the most common signs that tires need replacement is worn treads. You can check to see if your tire tread is too low by using a penny.

Place the penny on its edge between two tire treads. Face the penny so Lincoln’s head is upside down. Ideally, Lincoln’s head should be completely covered by the tire tread. If not, your tire tread is too low and you should consider replacing your tires.

Many tires also have wear bars to indicate when a tire should be replaced. The wear bar is a rubber pattern woven into the tire at a shallow depth. Once you hit the wear bar, you will need to buy new tires.

Immediately replace your tires once the tread wears down. After the tire tread is worn, the tires won’t have adequate traction to accurately control your car. This loss of tire traction will be especially important during inclement weather, such as in snow or rain. Worn tread can also cause other car parts to wear down prematurely.

2. Structural Damages

As tires deflate, they tend to bulge on the sides. If you see bulges on your tires, they may have an air leak or low pressure. Consult your tire retailer or a mechanic to determine whether you will need to replace the tire or simply fill it with air.

If you don’t fix a tire bulge quickly, it could lead to further structural damages on the tire, such as gouges or cracks. In time, these gouges and cracks can lead to a dangerous blowout while driving.

Low air pressure in your tires may be caused by changes in temperature. Tires tend to lose pressure during colder temperatures. If you don’t add air to your tire before the summer, you may drive your vehicle with under-inflated tires. The low tire pressure combined with the heat will likely wear down the tread on your tires faster.

Structural damages on your tire could also come from poor road conditions, such as potholes or rocks. Do your best to avoid these road hazards. If you believe a pothole or rock may have caused damage to one or more of your tires, consult your tire retailer or mechanic to determine if replacement is necessary.

Keep in mind that tires will usually deflate one pound per square inch (PSI) each month. Check your tires for appropriate air pressure and structural damages at least once a month. Although your tires may not incur structural damages each month, tire pressure can decrease in that time.

3. Age

When was the last time you replaced your tires? Despite the condition of your tires, most tire manufacturers recommend buying new tires every six to ten years. Refer to your manufacturer’s recommendations to determine when your tires will require replacement.

You can increase the lifespan of your tires by rotating and balancing the tires regularly and maintaining recommended air pressure.

If your tires display one or more of these signs, replace your old tires with a set of new tires from Extreme Wheels. With new tires on your vehicle, you can drive confidently knowing that you have reliable tires to safely take you wherever you want to go.