A key piece of auto maintenance is replacing your tires regularly. However, if you're a new car owner and unfamiliar with the process, it can be challenging to know when the right time is or how to pick the right time. Thankfully, although there are many different choices, there are a few easy guidelines to remember. Here's what you need to know.

When to Replace Tires

The most important factor to know when replacing tires is tread wear. Tire treads are the patterned grooves around the wheel. They help the rubber grip the road so that it can safely maneuver curves and around corners. Because of the friction caused by driving across different surfaces, the tread wears down and gets smoother. Once it gets too thin, it won't grip the road as well as before.

If you're wondering what constitutes as too thin, you can use the penny test. The penny test involves holding a penny upside down with the head side facing you and placing it inside one of the tire grooves. If the top of President Lincoln's head shows, the tires are too thin, and it's time for a replacement. 

However, excessive tread wear isn't the only time to replace them. Even if they don't give you any problems, be prepared to buy new tires after about six years from the manufacturer's production date. At that time, the rubber has started to degrade and might not be as resilient and pliant as before. Once they hit that time, have them inspected at least once a year. However, once they've hit a decade, replace them entirely.

How to Choose the Right Tires

As for the type of tires you should be using, it primarily depends on your vehicle and how you drive. Your vehicle's manual is generally the best place to start. It will tell you the tire size, load index, and speed rating. The load index refers to the weight the tire and your car can hold, while the tire speed rating reveals how fast those tires are designed to go. 

Beyond these factors is also the type. For most drivers, the "all-season" tire will suffice since they’re designed for a broad range of weather conditions, whether it's torrential rainfall or high heat. However, if you live in a climate with excessive snowfall, you may want to get winter tires when the season rolls around since these are designed to stay pliant and maintain grip even under freezing temperatures.

When you need quality tires, stop by Brothers Tire Sales in Kannapolis, NC. For more than 60 years, this family-owned and operated shop has provided top, name-brand tires like Michelin® and BF Goodrich® Tires. Aside from tire sales, they also provide brake repairs, oil changes, and more. You can see all the auto maintenance services they offer on their website, and if you have any questions, don't hesitate to call them at (704) 933-2203.