When To Replace Car Tires

Most people do not know when to replace their cars worn car tires? Your car tires performance is critical to the safety, performance and efficiency of your vehicle; estimates by the N.H.T.S.A. show that 400 fatalities annually may have been attributed to tire failures. Most tires are designed to provide at least standard performance throughout their life span. Tires at some point will lose performance in terms of their braking ability and traction. Below are a few tips that can help you decide when it’s time to start shopping around for a new set of tires while avoiding spending to much money.

The primary purpose of tread on a tire is to channel water from beneath the tire. This channeling greatly improves traction and keeps your car from hydroplaning on wet roads. Tires are unsafe when they’ve worn down, when the tread is down to 1/16th of an inch (1.6mm), the tire is no longer safe and should be replaced. Tires sold in the United States and other countries all have “tread wear bars”. These are small raised bridges created between the treads. While looking at the tread pattern you’ll see these bars between the treads, or running across the tires. As the tires wear down, these bars will become even with the tire’s tread. At this point you should replace your tires.

A penny is a good way you can check the tread wear. Take a penny, and place it upside down with President Lincoln facing you in the center of the tread or the part of the tire with the most tread.

If the top of Lincoln’s head or the copper above it is visible you should replace the tires immediately. If Lincoln’s hair on the top of his head is partially visible, it is time to go shopping for tires. If the coin is inserted enough that the tire tread is as deep as Lincoln’s forehead your tires do not need replacing right away.

You can use a tread depth indicator or gauge. This type of gauge is readily available and inexpensive at your local auto parts store. Either use the tread pattern test, or purchase a tread depth indicator or gauge tool to measure the tire’s tread.

It may might be easier to visit you local tire store and ask them to check them for you, but beware they may try to sell you tires even if you don’t need them yet. That’s is why is good to know how to check them yourself and get a second opinion from the tire store. Know the legal requirements. Worn tires should be replaced as a matter of common sense to assure safety, but in some jurisdictions, there are also legal requirements to replace worn tires. In many US States, tires are considered to be legally worn out when they have worn down to 1/16″ (1.6mm) of their remaining tread depth.

Make note of any irregular tread wear. This could indicate a wheel misalignment, the need for a tire rotation, or both. Uneven tread wear is a sign that you need to take your car in for servicing.

If uneven tire wear is extreme or if tires wear out much faster than expected, have a competent tire workshop check your suspension and correct as necessary before replacing tires. Improper alignment or worn suspension parts can dramatically shorten a tire’s life. It is a good idea to rotate your tires from front to rear in pairs. Take both front tires and move them to the rear and vice versa.