Your tires are one of the most important parts of your vehicle. Besides, your tires are the only part of your vehicle that physically makes contact with the road.
Even so, most people rarely think about their tires—until there is a problem. In fact, many drivers in Columbia, MD are appalled to learn they need new tires for Maryland state inspection before registering their vehicle.
At this point, you essentially have two choices: buy a set of new tires on the spot or give up on registering the vehicle.
It’s a good idea then for drivers in Columbia, MD to know the types of tire issues that would cause an inspection failure. This way, they can stay on top of your car’s tire needs and replace tires rather than having new tires unexpectedly.
The team at Columbia Auto Care & Car Wash can help. As the best center for new tires and tire sales in Columbia, MD, we have compiled a quick, easy-to-understand guide to help you determine if your tires will pass the Maryland State Inspection.
The Maryland Tire Inspection Guidelines
Believe it or not, there are several reasons your tires may fail the Maryland State Inspection in Columbia, MD. Licensed inspectors have a detailed list of criteria—spelled out in the law—they use to evaluate your tires.
Broadly speaking, your tires will fail if:
- Less than 2/32 inch of tread remains.
- Their treadwear indicators make road contact in three equally-spaced locations.
- The tread has worn down to the cord anywhere on the tire.
- They have visible bumps, cuts, or cracks in their treads or sidewalls.
- The tire size and construction don’t match on each axle.
The good news is that you may be able to see many of these defects with a visual inspection. To check the remaining tread depth, all you need is a penny. Place the penny upside-down into your tire treads. If the treads don’t cover at least one part of Abraham Lincoln’s head, you need new tires.
What To Do if Your Tires Won’t Pass Inspection in Columbia MD?
If you’ve noticed any of the signs of trouble above, you shouldn’t even bother to schedule an inspection before getting new tires. If you know you need new tires or failed the state inspection due to tire issues, Columbia Auto Care & Car Wash offers new tires. We sell a wide selection of Hercules tires. This means there’s an excellent chance that we have the set you need in stock.
In addition, our new tire sales come with a nationwide warranty that entitles you to free repair or replacement at any Hercules dealer. That means you’ll have peace of mind wherever you travel.
If that’s not enough, we even provide you with road hazard protection for two years or 50% treadwear, whichever comes first. If you suffer tire damage from road debris or other detritus, we’ll fix it for you free of charge.
Contact Columbia Auto Care & Car Wash for New Tires in Columbia, MD Today
The bottom line is simple: you don’t want to wait until your Maryland State Inspection to find out that you need new tires. The best solution is to have a tire inspection before you schedule your State Inspection.
It’s better to find out while you still have the time to plan for the purchase. And if you make it a point to look for the signs of trouble detailed here, you’ll have ample warning that you need new tires. In either case, the mechanics at Columbia Auto Care & Car Wash can help!
We’d be happy to discuss your options with you and get you the tires you need at a price you’ll love. Call us at (410) 740-9890 or stop by our convenient location at 10611 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, MD 21044. You can also fill out this contact form.
