Tire and Car Tips
How to Check Tread
When the tread is worn down to 3/32 of an inch, tires must be replaced.
All tires have "wear bars," which are small, raised bars of rubber in the groove that indicate when tires are worn out. If your tread is worn down to the wear bars, it's time for a new tire.
A penny is a reliable tool to check tire tread.
- Take a penny and put Lincoln's head into one of the grooves of the tire tread. If part of his head is covered by the tread, you're driving with the legal amount of tread.
- If you can see all of Lincoln's head, it's time to replace the tire.
Visually check your tires for signs of uneven wear. You may have irregular tread wear if there are high and low areas or unusually smooth areas. Also make sure no nails or other objects are embedded in the tire. Consult your tire dealer as soon as possible if you see problems.
Other Important Information
Practice good driving habits, which will help keep your tires in good condition.
Vehicles equipped with Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) can help motorists detect loss of inflation pressure. Federal regulations require TPMS to warn drivers when tires are 25% under inflated. For many vehicles this warning may be too late to prevent damage caused by under inflation. TPMS units are NOT a replacement for monthly tire pressure checks with a gauge.
Obey posted speed limits.
Always buckle your seat belt.
Avoid fast starts, stops, and turns.
Avoid potholes and other objects on the road.
Do not run over curbs or hit your tires against the curb when parking.
Do not overload your vehicle. Check your vehicle's tire information or owner's manual for the maximum recommended load for your vehicle.