Tires gradually wear out as you drive, and worn tires make driving more challenging and dangerous even for a Lexus. As your Lexus dealership, we want to tell you some signs that you need to visit us for new tires very soon.
Cracked Tires
Tires are made from high-quality rubber, and they’re built up in layers to provide extra strength. Despite their high quality, even the best tires will become less supple over time. Exposure to heat, cold, friction, water, and sunlight will gradually make the rubber less flexible. When you’re driving, this lack of flexibility can cause cracks to appear in your tires over time.
Cracks will gradually grow longer and deeper. As a crack extends into a tire, it can cause an opening, and the tire will leak. A crack can also cause a blowout, particularly if you’re driving at speed. Our technicians will examine the cracks and advise if they’re deep enough to pose a threat. If the cracks are severe, we can replace the tire for you.
Low Tread
The tread is the raised pattern on the tire in contact with the ground. The tread is broken up by a groove pattern that runs through it. These grooves help to push water, mud, or snow backward and prevent these liquids from accumulating under the tread. Tire tread gradually wears down due to friction against the surface when you drive.
If the tread becomes too thin, you’ll notice stopping takes longer, and your Lexus seems to have less surface traction than it should. The minimum safe tread depth in The US is 2/32″. If your tread is close to this, it’s time to consider tire replacement. We can check your tread with a tire depth gauge, and we recommend replacing worn tires ASAP to allow you to continue to drive safely.
Tire Bulge
A tire bulge is a raised lump on a tire filled with air. Bulges are more common on a tire sidewall, the tire section perpendicular to the surface. The reason for this is the sidewall rubber is thinner and softer than the rubber that forms the tread. A bulge can form if part of the tire is compressed against a solid object, for example, bumping against the curb.
The air inside a tire heats up when you are driving due to friction with the surface. A bulge is a weakness in a tire where the rubber is stretched thinner than it should be. When the air in the bulge heats up, it can cause the bulge to rupture and cause a blowout. We can’t repair a tire bulge, but we can replace the tire for you.
Replacing worn or damaged tires will allow you to drive safely. Contact us today at Bergstrom Lexus in Appleton, WI.
Connect with us
