Car Parts Faqs

I bought my car used. How can I tell when the tires need replacing?

I don't know when the tires were last replaced. I don't want to ask the tire salesman because he'll say YES regardless. The car really does not feel any different.

Public Comments

1. Use the penny trick Place a penny into several tread grooves across the tire. If part of the top of Lincoln's head is always covered by the tread, you have more than 2/32" of tread depth remaining. If the top of Lincoln's head is not covered at all by the tread, it is time to replace the tire. Pic: http://www.tirerack.com/images/tires/tiretech/pennyfront.jpg
2. stick a penny in it. if lincolns head sticks out, you need new tires
3. if you can stick a penny with head facing toward the tread and still see the space between the head and the edge it;s no good
4. Use a regular US penny. Place it into the middle of the tread area of the tire, and look closely; if the top of Lincoln's head is completely visible when viewed perpendicular to the penny, then the tires have very little tread left and need replacing. If Lincoln's head sinks down into the tread area so that you can't see the top of his head, then you can still drive on those tires for awhile.
5. Use the "Penny trick"... Which means turn a penny head down and stick it between your tire tread. If you can see Lincoln's head completely, you need new tires. Good luck.
6. The "penny test" is always "best".
7. You'll need new tires when the tread is worn down.. driving in rainy/icy conditions with no tread is very dangerous.
8. look at the grooves in the tires and if there are hardly any showing,or some of the belting is showing,or a not on one of them,and have bad weaather cracks on them.the best way is to get a tire depth guage and check the depth of the grooves in the tires.. but usually just looking them over the way i said,will get you by.
9. There is one other guage that nobody else mentioned: The DOT number The last 4 (or prior to 2000, the last 3) numbers on the DOT registration number stamped on the sidewall will tell you the week and year the tire was made. Example: 0407 means the 4th week of 2007 or the end of January. Pre-2000 would be 3 numbers (e.g. 409, the 40th week of 1999). If your tires are over 5 years old, regardless of tread depth, it is time to consider replacing them. Rubber becomes brittle and inflexible with age,and is therefore much more vulnerable to impact damage (pot holes, bumps, etc.). As a tire professional, I would say YES if your tires are old, not because I am slavering to get rich off of you (have you seen the cars we drive?), but because I am concerned for your safety. Tires are the most important safety items you can replace on your car. Brakes slow the wheels down. Tires stop your car.