How Do I Know It's Time to Replace My Tires?, by Cars.com on YouTube. 1 min 35 s.
- Video length
- 1 min 35 s
- Time to do it
- 10 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Park on a flat, level surface, set the parking brake and switch off the engine. Grab a penny and a flashlight so you can check all four tires.
Push a penny into a tread groove with Lincoln's head pointing down. If you can see the top of his head, the tread is near 2/32 inch and the tire needs replacing.
Find the raised wear bars inside the main tread grooves. When the tread surface sits level with these bars, the tire has reached its limit and should be replaced.
Compare the inner and outer edges of every tire. Wear on just one edge usually means the wheel alignment is off, so have a shop check it.
Run your hand around the tread and feel for dips or a wavy, scalloped pattern. Cupping like this often points to worn shocks or suspension parts.
Inspect the sidewalls for cuts, cracks, bulges and embedded objects. A bulge or deep cut makes the tire unsafe, so replace it before driving.
For an exact reading, use a tread depth gauge in several grooves. New tires start around 10/32 inch and most need replacing at 2/32 inch.
Replace tires in pairs on the same axle, or all four together, so the car handles evenly. Recheck the pressures and torque the wheel nuts after fitting.
Tips and common mistakes
Check tread depth in several grooves across the tire, not just one, because wear can vary.
Do the penny test when the tires are clean and dry, since dirt or water can hide the tread.
Tires at 4/32 inch or less lose grip in rain, so plan the replacement before they reach 2/32 inch.
Rotate your tires every 5,000 to 8,000 miles to keep the wear even.
Questions
How do I know when my tires are legally worn out?
At 2/32 inch of tread the tire is at the legal minimum in most places and needs replacing. Many drivers replace at 4/32 inch for better grip in wet weather.
Can I replace just one tire?
It is best to replace tires in pairs on the same axle. Fitting one new tire next to a worn one can upset handling and strain the drivetrain.
Does the penny test work on every tire?
It works on most passenger car tires with standard tread grooves. Use a tread depth gauge for an exact number and check the wear bars as well.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
