Sponsored

Penny for your tires? How to maintain your car’s most obvious asset

Tread depth is an important measurement of your tire’s health.

Proper tread ensures that your tires can adequately grip surfaces, keeping you safe on slick or uneven terrain. Aside from losing grip, reduced tread depth also makes it easier for objects like nails or construction debris to puncture your tires.

The “penny test” is a time-honored way of checking your tire tread on the go. Safety standards in the U.S. recommend maintaining a tread depth of at least 2/32″. Place a penny — with Lincoln’s head facing you — in the tread of the tire, then gently rotate it so that Lincoln’s head dips down into the tread of your tire. If you can still see the top of his head when the coin image is upside down, it could mean that your tires have worn too thin and it’s time to look at a replacement. Learn more about this and other indicators of your tire’s longevity, including tips on using a quarter instead of a penny.

Another method, which involves less digging in your pocket, is just eyeballing each tire before you consult a professional. Search for signs of uneven wear, a single (or multiple) tire having more wear and reduced tread in a single spot on the wheel may indicate that you’re low on air pressure or need to have your alignment checked.

Replacing tires can be costly, and replacing all four is typically recommended to ensure that they remain balanced and wear evenly. CarCare To Go offers a free comprehensive safety inspection that includes photo and video documentation with every service. We can also help with misalignments, flat tires, and rotations that help prevent the need to replace all four tires at once.

For a limited time, all appointments booking in January, even our $20.23 first-time customer oil change special, will be automatically entered to win a FREE full set of tires (value up to $750, valid for 12-months from the drawing date.)

Don’t wait, book now for a service experience like no other, and your chance to win some new wheels!