What should you use to assess the condition of your tires before driving?

Using a combination of visual inspections for wear and testing the tread depth is crucial for assessing tire condition before driving. Tires are the only point of contact between a vehicle and the roadway, so ensuring they are in good condition is vital for safe driving.

Visible wear can indicate uneven tire degradation, which might suggest alignment issues, overinflation, or underinflation. Regularly checking for specific patterns of wear can help identify potential problems early. Meanwhile, testing tread depth is essential since adequate tread is necessary for maintaining grip, particularly on wet or slippery surfaces. A tire with insufficient tread can increase the risk of hydroplaning and decrease overall traction.

Relying solely on tire pressure, examining surface color changes, or listening for sounds while driving might not provide a complete picture of tire health. Tire pressure checks are important but don't address other critical aspects of tire condition, such as tread wear or potential internal damage. Surface color changes may not always be indicative of tire issues, and sounds while driving could indicate a problem but won't help in preventive maintenance before starting a journey. Thus, using both visual checks and tread depth measurements offers a comprehensive assessment of tire safety.