How To Know When to Buy New Tires

Maintaining your tires is an important aspect of vehicle ownership, and knowing when to buy new tires can be difficult. By learning how to assess the condition of your tires, you will reduce the risk of blowouts, hydroplaning and decreased traction when you are on the road.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Examine the tire walls of each tire. They should be free from cracks, bulges and other signs of damage. If the tire wall shows signs of damage, replace the tire or tires immediately. Otherwise, they could blow out while you are driving, posing a safety hazard to you and other drivers.

2. Check all surfaces of each tire for uneven wear. Move the car to check areas that are in contact with the ground for a thorough inspection.

3. Check your tread depth. If you are unsure whether you have enough tread, use a quarter to measure the tread depth. Place the quarter in the tread with George Washington's head upside-down in 3 different locations. Check 1 inch from the inside of the tire, 1 inch from the outside and in the middle of the tread. If all of Washington's head is visible from any of these checkpoints, it is time to replace your tires.

4. Check the treadwear bars that run horizontally across the tire, even if your tires pass the quarter test. If the treadwear bars are flat with surface of your tire, replace your tires.

5. Check your air pressure regularly. If your tires are not maintaining pressure, there is a slow leak in the tire and it needs to be replaced.

6. Buy new tires if your existing ones have been punctured. Some punctures can be repaired with a patch, but in some cases replacement may be a better option.

Tips & Warnings

• Purchase new tires if you move to a location with a different climate. Different climates require different types of tires. For example, a person living in a climate where there are harsh winters will need a different type than a person who lives in a climate where it is warm all year.

Resources

• Checking Your Tires