Is it time to replace your tires? Here's how to tell!
Is it time to replace your tires? Here's how to tell!
Posted on September 29, 2022
As the only part of your vehicle that touches the road, it is important to be mindful of your tire wear and know when to replace them. Neglecting their condition can put not only yourself but the lives of those around you at risk. It can also cause damage and wear which can lead to costly repairs.
Regardless of how you drive, you should periodically inspect your tires and replace them when needed. Here are 3 ways how you can determine when to replace your tires:
1. Tire Tread: The Coin Test
Tire tread is the part of your tire that is meant to touch the road and is what provides your vehicle with traction. As you drive, the tread slowly wears away. It is important to replace your tires when they reach 4/32 seconds or less.
The best way to determine if your tread is still okay is the coin test (also known as the quarter test). Take a quarter and place it at the shallowest point of your tread with the nose of the caribou facing down. If the entire head of the caribou is visible, it's time to replace your tires.
2. Expiry Date
Yes, even tires expire. This is because over time the rubber material or compound degrades. You should replace your tires after 6 years. No matter if the tire tread looks okay, it still can be unsafe to drive with old tires.
Unlike food, tires don't come with an expiry date printed on them. They do however have come with their manufactured date. On one side of your tires, you will see DOT followed by a series of letters that ends in a 4-digit code - usually in a rectangular box. This is your manufactured date. The first two numbers represent the week the tire was made and the last two digits represent the year the tire was made.
This tire was manufactured on the 42nd week of 2020.
This tire was manufactured on the 2nd week of 2021.
3. Tire Quality and Wear
The simplest way to determine if it's time to replace your tires is by taking a close look at the condition. Specifically, look for uneven tread wear, cracks, bulges, etc. These can be easily spotted thanks to the tire tread wear bars/indicators! These are bars molded parallel across the grooves of the tread. The less defined or close to the surface they get, it's time to replace your tires.
If you have difficulty using the above methods, or just want an expert's opinion, feel free to stop by our service department for a free inspection of your tire's life. We would be more than happy to assist.