As autumn and wintertime are upon us, you may want to take precautions and replace your wheels. Thus,  Andys Motor Oils in Santa Barbara shed light on when and why you need to get new tires. 

Deciphering the correct products to service your vehicle is not easy. Thus, if you need help, the oil pros at Andys Motor Oils in Santa Barbara are one phone call away to lend a hand in this dilemma. Call them at (805) 350-2782 and try a few AMSOIL products.

When Should You Replace the Tire Set?

Tires are the only element in your vehicle in direct contact with the road. This characteristic makes them a crucial component of ensuring the passenger's safety. For this reason, you must make them a priority and change them when it's due.

How Long Do Car Tires Last?

Here goes the big question, how many years of use can you get from a tire set? It isn't easy to define an exact moment to replace the tires. In short, too many factors and driving habits influence their wear and tear. The following examples play a massive role in keeping tires in optimal conditions:

• the environment
• the type of ground they circulate on
• your daily commute
• the use you give to the vehicle

Besides, how you care for them defines whether they last a couple of years or up to 10 years of use.

On Determining Tire Wear

As a general rule of thumb, you must replace the tires not after a particular time but rather on the level of wear. Determining if the tires are too worn down is pretty quick. You must check the treads' depth and the tracks drawn on the tire. The following trick might help you out. As a tire wears, you'll see it losing some of the biting edges that give you a grip on snow and dry surfaces. You also lose the channels that allow you to dissipate water if it's wet outside. That's why these grooves should always surpass 5-millimeter in thickness.

Feeding synthetic oil to your car will help it endure the upcoming winter. But, if you're unsure about these formulas, contact Andys Motor Oils in Santa Barbara! Their experts will be eager to help you improve your vehicle's maintenance. Call them at (805) 350-2782, or stop by the online store to order.

The Coin Tests

A practical and popular trick is to insert a coin into one of the grooves. Coins, especially quarters and pennies, are good indicators of your tire's tread wear.

The Quarter Test

The distance between George Washington's head and the edge of a quarter happens to be about 4/32 of an inch. So, inserting the coin head down into the groove will determine two things:

• If the entire head is visible, you should consider buying new tires.
• If you see the head halfway through, you're in the clear. Don't think about replacing tires yet.

The Penny Test

The penny comes if you see yourself in the first scenario. So, the top of Abraham Lincoln's head to the edge of the penny is 2/32 of an inch. In most states, this means a tire that's legally worn out. To do the penny test, you must take Abe's head and put it down into the tread groove. If you can see Abe's complete side profile, you need to get new tires immediately.

Check Them Every Five Years

The materials from which tires are made are not everlasting. Rubber wears down and loses its elasticity over time. Yet, this material allows the tire to adhere to the pavement and keeps the vehicle stable on the road. On average, after five years, begins the loss of elasticity. But, you should count those five years from the tire manufacture date. Suppose the tire still doesn't show significant wear in this period. In that case, it's better to check it or have it inspected by a professional. Make sure these check-ups are done every six months to ensure it's in reliable condition.

Tire Safety: Expiration Date?

There is no such thing as an expiration date when it comes to tires. But that's not an excuse to overlook the manufacturing date. On the side of the tire, you'll see a four-digit number, for example, 0521. This print means it was manufactured in week 05 of 2021. This trick is a simple way to calculate when to get new tires or check the tire's physical condition.

Improve your engine's life span by feeding it suitable fluids. Try using AMSOIL's Signature Series 0W-20 Synthetic Motor Oil to boost performance.

Call the oil specialists at Andys Motor Oils in Santa Barbara and find the correct maintenance products. Diall (805) 350-2782 or email them to contact their dealer andy@andysmotoroils.com and prevent vehicle damage with AMSOIL products.