When Do Tires Need to Be Replaced

For the most part, your tires need a minimum tread depth of 2/32” to be legal. To assist you in figuring out when you’re getting close, most tires have tread wear indicators built into them. If you look closely at the tread, at some point you’ll see a bar of rubber which goes across the tread and isn’t part of the regular pattern. This is the wear indicator and is molded into the rubber at a depth of about 2mm. As the rubber in your tires wears away, the tread wears down. At some point, the tire tread will become flush with the wear indicator and it’s at this time you’ll need new tires.

Another way to measure the tread depth is the Penny Test. Just take a penny and, with Lincoln’s head upside down, put it between the tread blocks of the tire. If you are not able to see the top of Lincoln’s head – if his head is “buried” between the tread blocks – then you still have more than 2/32 of an inch of tread remaining. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, it’s time to go tire shopping because the tread is worn down to or beyond 2/32 of an inch.

Tires are in constant contact with the ground carrying the whole weight of your vehicle, which causes a great deal of wear and tear. Even if you diligently check your vehicle’s tires every month and maintain the correct tire pressure, there might come a time when they still need to be replaced. Here are some other warning signs that your vehicle needs new rubber:

• Dry rot where cracks begin to appear on the sidewalls
• Damage to the sidewall (like gouges)
• Any visible perforations or deformations (like bulges or blisters)
• Uneven tread wear
• Vibration or thumping when driving

New Car Tire Sales and Replacement

There are several types of tires that you can buy for your car, truck or SUV. The different types can broadly be classified as performance tires, all-weather or all-season tires, snow and ice tires, all-terrain tires, and mud and off-road tires. What you choose depends on the type of vehicle you have, how you use it, where you live, how you like the ride quality and a variety of other factors. However, before you buy new car tires, you should first understand a few car tire basics.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), tire failure causes around 11,000 car crashes each year! If you are unsure whether you need new tires or not, stop by Coho Auto or give us a call. The best part is it’s free. We will inspect your tires and look for damage and excessive wear.

And if you do need tires, Coho Auto has access to an extensive inventory of tires for every make/model car, truck or SUV. We are literally a one-stop shop for tire care, sales, and replacement with state of the art wheel balancing equipment. There’s no need to look further.