The Confused Mechanics TikTok page is dedicated to unfortunate vehicles that roll into service shops. Now there are plenty of folks who are ready to share scams from auto techs and dealerships. However, there are certainly instances where the customer isn’t right, either.

And this latest social media post highlighted by Confused Mechanics (@confused.mechanics) certainly falls into this aforementioned category. In the clip, a silver Mazda is shown hoisted on a lift with a glazed over, hazy headlight. Judging from the body style, it appears to be a BL series (second generation) Mazda3. This particular model was produced from 2009 to 2013. And it appears that the tires on the car haven’t been changed since the whip rolled off the assembly line.

While this may be an exaggeration, the rusted steel wheels and curb-rash rim covers don’t help the driver’s case. The TikToker pans their camera lens over the front driver’s side tire, then ambles towards the back-end. It’s a sight that screams hydroplane and rubber so worn down, no amount of traction control would help.

@confused.mechanics #mechanic #fyp #mechaniclife #mechanicsoftiktok #foryou #model #cars #mechanical #cartok #diy ♬ original sound – Confused Mechanics

Dubious Driver

In the sixteen second clip, it’s evident that the car’s been run down to almost an entirely even level. Despite this obvious visual cue the Mazda owner needed new tires yesterday months ago, they didn’t seem to think so. That’s because the social media user penned that the driver came to them for a second opinion. Apparently, they believed the previous tech was telling tales out of school about them needing new tires.

A text overlay in the clip delineates just how woefully ignorant the driver was regarding basic road safety. “Customer thinks dealership is trying to rip them off. Can you just confirm his tires are okay and do a brake inspection,” the on-screen caption reads.

MotorBiscuit has previously written about the right time to change a car’s tires. Of course, you can swap out your rubber whenever you want if you’re looking to hit certain performance goals. Furthermore, if you want extra grip come winter time, dedicated snow tires can help you navigate frosty roads with ease.

Tread Dread

But when it comes to ensuring you’re sticking to the road as you should, monitoring tread levels is paramount. One of the easiest ways to ascertain whether or not your tires have enough tread on them is to grab a quarter. No, you won’t be flipping it to determine if you should swap out your tires. Rather, place the coin inside one of the tread grooves of your tire. If you’re able to see the top of George Washington’s Presidential dome, then it’s time to start shopping for tires.

If you want to get technical, this comes to about 2/32nd of an inch. Of course, there are inexpensive tread measuring tools from, say, Amazon, you could toss in your trunk that’ll give you accurate readings, too. But there’s also another factor that must be considered when swapping out tires: age.

Rubber, like many materials, degrade over time. Thankfully, most tires are stamped with manufacturing dates that’ll let you know their age. Tire Buyer writes that the week and year of a tire’s production date can be found in the form of a four digit number. Moreover, the website provides a graphic of a Michelin tire with the numbers 2118 emblazoned on it.

This alerts consumers that the tire was manufactured in the 21st week (May) of the year 2018. Additionally, the article uploaded to the publication recommends buyers steer clear of tires that are 6 years old or more.

Good Brakes Won’t Cut It

The Confused Mechanics point about the customer just wanting a brake inspection also raises another cause of concern. And there are plenty of auto enthusiasts who’ll argue that a car’s braking system is only as good as the tires they’re attached to. Grassroots Motorsports writes that “one of the most important” components of braking is a good set of tires.

The business went on to state, “ultimately it’s the tires, not the brakes, that stop the car. They’re the final link in the braking chain.” Going further, the company urged folks interested in fine-tuning a braking system to not skimp on dependable tires. Another braking company, NRS, went on to call tire condition a “critical” component of stopping a car.

“It’s a simple truth that the best brakes in the world are useless if your tires cannot grip the road,” NRS writes. Furthermore, their write-up on the relationship between tires and braking stresses that brake and tire inspections go hand in hand.

Commenters Sound Off

Some folks who replied to the Confused Mechanics’ TikTok post were also appalled by the state of the Mazda owner’s tires. One person said that they shared the coin-measuring method with their mother. “My mom kept telling me her car has great tires (it’s for sale). I showed her with a penny that she is flirting with death,” they remarked.

Another gasped, “My God, how old are those tires?” While another uploaded a picture of an equally disturbing tire they found on a Civic.

MotorBiscuit has reached out to Confused Mechanics via TikTok comment for further information.