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Step 1
Keep track of your tire tread depth as this is one of the most important indicators. Most states have laws that mandate that tires have more than 1/16 inch tread left on the tire to be legal. Check your tread depth by using a ruler or the head on a penny. If the thread depth is deeper than the top of Lincoln's head, then your tires are legal. It is important to check all tires as they may wear unevenly. One tire is all that it takes to receive a ticket.
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Step 2
Check the sidewalls of your tires often and don't neglect the inner and outer edges of the tire. When a tire reaches the end of its useful life, the steel belt will begin to show. If this happens, have the tire changed immediately. This condition can lead to a tire blowout on the road while you are driving.
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Step 3
Maintain a record of the mileage that you have put on your tires since they were purchased and what the expected life of the tires was claimed. As the tire reaches the mileage rating of the tire, it should be showing wear that indicates it is time to replace the tire. Most tires don't live up to the rating.
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Step 4
Record when you check the air pressure of your tires and look for tires that seem to lose air quicker than the rest. This may indicate that you have a tire that has a small leak. These types of leaks can lead to flats, so consider having the tire replaced or at least repaired.
Comments
chuckx6 said
on 12/1/2009 It would be helpful to also include information about when a tire was made since they're not very safe beyond six years after manufacture. See this site to find out how to read when a tire was made. And don't be fooled by when a tire was purchased. It could have been sitting on a shelf for several years or more before purchase.