How to Know When It Is Time To Replace Your Tires

The tires on your car, truck, SUV or any other vehicle need to be in good condition to allow you to travel safely in all kinds of weather conditions. Your particular vehicle, tires, and driving habits will determine how quickly your tires may wear out. Here are a few ways to recognize when they need to be changed:

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. 
    

   You see excessive wear on the inside or outside edges of your tires. If the edges are worn down so far that the tire is almost bald, they should be replaced. In extreme cases, you may actually see steel fibers protruding through the rubber.

2. 
    

   You can see that the treads have worn almost all the way down to the tread wear indicators or “wear bars”. You can find these on most tires by looking for the initials “TWI” or a little arrow on the sidewall.

3. 
    

   You use a tire tread depth gauge to check the tread depth and it is less than 2/32 of an inch, which for most states is the legal limit that defines when a tire is worn out. If you don’t have access to a tire tread depth gauge, you can insert the edge of a coin into the grooves of your tires in several places and observe how much of the coin is covered by the tire. Check out the link to Tire Rack below for more details.

Tips & Warnings

• Keeping your tires at the manufacturer’s recommended inflation pressure will make them last longer. These can be found on a sticker in the driver’s side doorjamb.
• Cornering at high speed will wear the edges of your tires faster.
• Rotate your tires according to your car’s maintenance schedule to keep your tires wearing evenly.
• Worn tires increase your chances of hydroplaning on wet roads and slipping on snow-covered roads.

Resources

• Tire Rack

[lilee2k]

on 8/22/2009 "Very good article for women on their own, or women with husbands that are "too" busy. 5*"

.....Or for men who don't know how to tell it's time to change tires. Not all men are mechanically inclined, and not all women are mechanically disinclined.

[mcguire5]

on 2/25/2009 Here's something I need to pay attention to. We had a little problem last year! Or should I say BIG problem!

[Coach4U]

on 2/25/2009 This is a good article. I never know when to replace my tires! "5"

[rumblebug]

on 2/25/2009 Great article - too many people wait too long before replacing their tires. Another great way to prolong the life of your tires is to invest in an alignment. They can definitely benefit your tires AND the vehicle in general. Excellent tips, thanks!

[writeitout]

on 2/25/2009 Very good article for women on their own, or women with husbands that are "too" busy. 5*