How Do You Know You Need New Tires?
  It's possible to take a quick, but careful look at your tires to determine if they're in generally good condition. You may have heard of the "Penny Test", which is a simple way to help you, as a consumer, determine how much tread your tires have.

Manufacturers recommend that your tires have 2/32" or more of tread depth. To check, simply turn a penny so Abraham Lincoln's image is upside-down and insert it into the tread groove. If you have too little tread, you'll see the top of President Lincoln's head (2/32" from the coin's edge).

Many manufacturers also have built-in "wear indicators" on tires, which can be found in each groove all the way around the tire. When a tire's tread has worn away such that you can see the wear indicator (a visible "bridge" which appears at 2/32" between the raised portion of the tread), your tire probably needs to be replaced.

Other Good Tire Care Habits:

  • Watching for flat spots or uneven tread wear patterns which can indicate several problems including poor alignment.
  • Immediately attend to bulging tire sidewalls, indicating structural problems.
  • Check tire pressure, which can be verified by comparing with the manufacturer's recommended air pressure level generally found on the door section, doorpost, glove compartment or fuel door.
  • Rotate your tires regularly to significantly extend the life of your tires by allowing more uniform treadwear.
  • Annual wheel alignment checks by a qualified technician to ensure wheels are pointed in the optimum direction.