“Girl WHAT?!”
Keeping your tires in good condition is one of the most basic requirements of safe driving. One woman waited so long to replace hers that people are stunned she averted catastrophe before she finally got them replaced at Discount Tire.
TikTok content creator @driverthoughts0 reveals the condition of her tires right before she went into Discount Tire to get new tires. “I’ve just been over here living on a hope and a prayer,” she begins.
She points the camera at the back right tire. It’s completely run down, and the tread count is nonexistent. The tire cords are showing, the tire is smooth, and there are surface cracks. Her other tires are much the same.
“Tire number two. Don’t look much better,” she says. “At least with these ones you can still see the lines,” she adds. There was barely any tread on the other tire she shows in the post. It’s so bald you can see the cords.
“Good thing we are at the tire shop,” she concludes.
In a follow-up TikTok, she writes of the tires, “Got every dollar out of them.”
Wearing tires out to the point that you can see the cords is extremely dangerous. The grooves on tires play a major role in gripping and traction when driving. Without any traction, you lose braking and steering ability. You are also far more likely to hydroplane.
In this situation, the chances of an accident drastically increase. This is why most states have a minimum legal limit of 2/32″ tread depth.
When the tire tread depth gets below 2/32″, the risk of flat tires, blowouts, or tread coming off increases. To avoid these risks, routine tire maintenance should be performed, including regularly inflating tires to the proper pressure and rotating them.
You can check your tread depth with what’s called the penny test. To do this, take a penny and place it upside down into the tire. If any part of Abraham Lincoln’s head is covered, the tire is still okay to drive on. If his full head is revealed, the tire is bald and needs to be replaced.
People who watched @driverthoughts0’s post were extremely concerned that she was driving around on such bald tires.
“Please don’t ever do that again. Not only are you risking your life, you’re also risking others lives on the road,” one wrote.
“The people we all share the roads with,” another commented.
“Girl WHAT?!” a third added.
“You still got $1.36 left out of those tires. Just sayin’,” one joked.
Motor1 has contacted @driverthoughts0 via TikTok direct message and commented on the post. We will update the story if she responds.
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