Flat TireThey’re the first point of contact between your vehicle and the road.  Your tires are key to keeping you, your passengers, and other drivers out on the road safe.  But if you don’t check your tires regularly, you could be setting yourself up for an accident. Below are some tips to help alert you to when you need new tires; and could help to keep your vehicle, you, and your passengers safe. Shallow Tread Depth Shallow tread depth is the number one sign for changing your tire. You must ensure that the tread depth never goes below 1.6 mm. You can easily check the tread depth of your tire by using a professional gauge. Don’t have one? Then you can determine the tread depth by using a penny.  Simply insert a penny into your tire’s tread groove with Lincoln’s head upside down and facing you.  If you can see all of Lincoln’s head, then your tread depth is less than 1.6mm and needs to be replaced. Sidewall Cracks Cracks are one of the major warning signs that suggests you need new tires. The cracks can be due to the bulge at the side of the tires, which can lead to a serious blowout. You should examine your tires periodically to see if there are any cracks or cuts in the sidewalls. Whenever you find any similar problems, you must change the tire to avoid potential incidents. Bulges or Blisters Bulges or blisters are very dangerous warning signs for your tires. These flaws indicate that the outer surface of your tire has started to weaken. If you notice this type of issue, you should replace your tire immediately, as it can lead to a serious accident. Excessive Vibration Excessive vibration is one of the most common reasons for replacing a tire. Every car has a certain limit of vibrations. If you drive your car regularly, you can easily differentiate between the usual and excessive vibrations. The excessive vibration can be caused due to a number of reasons. However, only a few of them are related to the tires. Nonetheless, whenever you feel that the vibration is more than the normal range, you should always take your car to a professional to ensure that the tires are balanced and aligned appropriately. If you notice any of these warning signs in your tire, you should contact a professional and see to it that the tire is replaced.