How to Replace a Car's Tires

Replacing the tires on your car requires the use of expensive tools and machinery and cannot be done in your driveway--these tools are usually only found at mechanic's shops and repair garages. These steps will help you inspect your tires to determine if replacement is really necessary.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tire tread depth indicator tool
• Penny

1. Measure the tread depth of the tire using a tire tread depth tool. Place the tool over one of the tire grooves and the top of the tire. Push the indicator pin down into the groove. Remove the tool and read where the graduate line on the tool indicates the depth in inches. One and 1/32nd inch is the minimum tread depth at which a tire will still perform safely. If the depth is less then that, the tire needs to be replaced.

2. Use a penny if you do not have a tire tread indicator. Place the penny in the groove of the tire. If you can see the top of Lincoln's head the tire is worn below safety limits and needs to be replaced.

3. Look for a wear bar. Wear bars are built into the tire and will go from one side of the tread area to the other side. If the wear bar is clearly seen at the top of the tread, the tire is worn and should be replaced as soon as possible.

4. Inspect the side walls of the tire on both the inside and outside. Look for bulges or dry rot. Dry rot will show as small cracks in the rubber surface of the side wall. These cracks indicate that the tire is deteriorating. Bulges in the tire indicate that the material is separating and the air from inside the tire is getting into the separation. If either of these are seen, the tire needs to be replaced.

5. Check for punctures in the tire caused by nails, screws or other road debris. A puncture can usually be plugged safely. However, if there are too many plugs in a tire, the tire should be replaced.

6. Take the car to a tire store or an automotive repair shop to have the tires replaced if your checks indicated that replacement is necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• To get the longest life out of your tires they should be rotated at regular intervals.
• Always keep your tires properly inflated. Under inflated tires will allow excessive heat to build up, which could cause permanent failure. Over inflated tires may decrease the handling performance in extreme steering situations.

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