How often should tire treads be visually inspected?

Regular visual inspection of tire treads should be conducted as part of the pre-trip inspection routine to ensure the safety and functionality of the vehicle. This practice helps to identify any signs of wear, damage, or inadequate tread depth that could compromise traction and handling capabilities. Since tire conditions can directly affect braking distance, stability, and overall vehicle performance, it's crucial to make this inspection a consistent part of the vehicle preparation process before each trip. By integrating tire inspections into the pre-trip routine, drivers can proactively address potential safety issues, which is essential for maintaining the integrity of the vehicle and ensuring passenger safety.

In contrast, limiting tire inspections to only before long trips or only once a month might lead to unsafe driving conditions if issues arise in the interim, while inspecting only after adverse weather conditions could mean handling hazards or failures that could have been detected and addressed earlier.