How to Determine When New Tires Are Needed

Worn tires on a vehicle pose a potentially dangerous driving hazard. Old tires have little tread traction, which means your vehicle is more likely to slide or lose control on a wet or icy road surface. Worn tires also reduce fuel economy and increase the chances of a tire blow-out while driving. If you own a vehicle, you should inspect your tires at least once a month and replace poor-quality tires.

• 1

  Look for visible tread bars on your tires. Once tires become worn down to at least 1/16 inch, rubber tread bars appear in a straight line across the tire tread. Visible tread bars indicate the need to replace tires.

• 2

  Inspect the tires for visible damage. Look for holes, cracks or nails embedded in the tire. Remove any objects stuck in the tire and check for leaks. Listen for a hissing sound. Pour soapy water over the tire and look for bubbles caused by escaping air.

• 3

  Insert a Lincoln penny in between the tire tread, headfirst. If you're able to see the top of Lincoln's head, you probably need to replace the tires.