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How to Know When Your Vehicle Needs New Tires

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How to Know When Your Vehicle Needs New Tires

Good tires are critical for all drivers and all vehicles when it comes to road safety. It’s not always easy to know, however, when your tires need to be changed. Tires’ lifespan can be affected by the type of vehicle, what kind of roads you drive on, how you drive, how much you spend on your tires and how often you use the vehicle. As a general rule, the tread on your tires should never fall below 1/16 of an inch (or 1.6 millimeters) in depth.

The “Penny Test”

There’s a do-it-yourself way to check your own tires using a penny held between your thumb and your forefinger. With Lincoln's head pointed down, insert the penny into the grooves on your tire tread. If you observe that any part of Lincoln's head is hidden by the tire tread, your tires are in good shape. If you can’t make any part of his head disappear, your treads are too shallow and the tires need to be replaced.

Tread Wear Indicators

This won’t work if you have an old car or old tires, but many newer tires have tread wear indicator bars. These are bars that are invisible or barely visible on new tires, but as wear increases, the bars gradually begin to appear, looking like flat rubber bars running perpendicular to the direction of the tread itself. If you can see one or more of these on your tires, particularly in wet tracks, the tread is getting low and the tires may need to be replaced.

Sidewall Cracks

While you may be focused on the treads of your tires, it’s important to check the sidewalls as well. Visible cracks in the sidewalls are often indications that the tire is getting worn out and should be replaced. While you’re looking for cracks, also examine the tires for bulges or blisters that could soon lead to a dangerous blowout on the road.

The Five-Year Recommendation

Tire manufacturers such as Michelin recommend that after five years or more in use, your tires should be thoroughly inspected at least once per year by a professional. If the tires haven't been replaced 10 years after their date of manufacture, as a precaution, Michelin recommends replacing them with new tires, even if they appear to be in usable condition and have not worn down to the tread wear indicator. This also applies to spare tires.

To extend the life of your tires and ensure the safe operation of your vehicle, be sure to have regular checkups.

Contact us to schedule a check-up and maintenance session for your vehicle.

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