The roadways are full of cars and each car has at least 4 tires. What happens to all those tires when they are worn and ready for replacing? With millions of cars on the road and each tire needing to be replaced every 3-5 years, it is important to recycle all those tires. How long do tires last and how do you know when to replace them?
Properly treated tires are crucial to performance and safety. The N.H.T.S.A estimates that there are more than 400 fatalities annually from faulty tires and many more narrow escapes. You don’t want to be one of those!
Tread is designed to divert water from underneath the tire to avoid hydroplaning on wet surfaces and to improve traction. When the tread is too worn, the process becomes difficult. Keep your tires on the road and your loved ones safe.
The Lincoln Test
There are several tips to help you know when the time is right to replace and recycle your tires. The penny trick is tried and true. Stick a penny in the tread of your tires with Lincoln’s head up. If you can see the top of his head, you need new tires. It is dangerous to travel, especially at high speeds, with tread that is too worn. If you can see Lincoln’s hair on the top of his head, it is time to start shopping for new tires. If you can’t see Mr. Lincoln’s hair, your tires still have life in them.
Check for the “Wear Bars”
All tires sold in the States have “tread wear bars,” which is where small bridges form between your tread. When these bars start to form between the tread or when they run across the tires, the tires are beginning to wear. When the bars become even with the tire’s tread, it is time to find replacements for your tires. You can always stop in at any tire store and have them check the tread for you. They usually don’t charge for this service, especially if you are a regular customer.
Recycle
When you replace your tires, be sure you recycle the old ones. Recycling tires is the perfect antidote to simply discarding them and adding to ground and air pollution and waste. Recycled tires are used to power furnaces, and are an alternate fuel source for industries. Landfills use shredded recycled tires to cover the daily deliveries from the garbage trucks. Old tires are used as cushioning materials in playgrounds. Tires are shredded and spread over the play area like mulch to protect children when they fall.
Watch your tires for signs of wear and tear and when the time is right, recycle the old tires. With millions of cars on the roads times four, that’s a lot of fuel for industries, playground padding, and land fill cover. Trust Lincoln to let you know when the time is right for replacing and recycling.