How to Determine if Your Tread is Low - Most tire dealers or custom wheel dealers can quickly tell you if your wheel can be fixed. If it can, it is usually a less expensive alternative to replacing the wheel. If you have a special finish on your wheel, you may find that the wheel also has to be refinished. Well before your tire becomes a slick, your car’s handling deteriorates as the depth of the grooves decreases. This will be most noticeable on a wet surface, giving a sensation that the car is “sliding away” from you. Before your tires get to a point which is too dangerous, manufacturers put tire-wear indicators in the grooves.

Checking Your Tread Level - If you were to run a finger along the inside of a tire groove, every now and then you would feel a “bump” – this is the tire-wear indicator. If you can see these “bumps”, it is time to change your tires – they are at the point (2/32 of an inch) where the law requires they be replaced.

Another way to check for tire wear is to use a penny: place a penny with Lincoln’s head straight down in one of the tire’s grooves. If the top of Lincoln’s head is level with the tread, it is time to replace your tires. Be sure to check several grooves on the same tire, and to check all your tires.

Preventing Premature Wear - You can get the most out of your tires if you keep your wheels balanced and aligned, and keep your tires properly inflated. Consult an authorized tire dealer.

Check various mechanics, brake and muffler shops, or your car dealership for specials. Some of them have on-line coupons for even more savings.

Learn about buying New Tires or New Wheels and Wheel Combo  or  When a Flat Can’t Be Fixed

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