So, your tires look fine. But are they? If they’ve been on your car for a long time, you must have wondered if they’re still safe to drive on. You may not have had a puncture or a blowout yet, but you don’t need to wait for something dramatic to happen to change your tires. Your tire’s tread depths and age can tell you if it is time for a new set. Here’s how you can figure it out.
Check Tread Depth: This one is really easy. Get a quarter and insert it between the treads with George Washington’s head pointing towards the tire. If the top of his head is even with the tread, then your tires are still safe, but it’s time to start searching for a new set. Or, get a penny and insert it with Lincoln’s head pointing towards the tire. If the tread is even with Lincoln’s head, then your tires aren’t safe anymore. Replace them immediately.
Check Tire Age: The more miles you drive, the faster the tread wears down. The weather and the road conditions also affect the life of your tires. But what if they have plenty of tread depth left? Then start by checking the four-digit Department of Transportation code on your tire sidewall to learn about the tire’s manufacturing date. Look for the letter DOT on the tire followed by four digits. The first two digits indicate the week during which the tire was manufactured, and the last two digits tell you the last two digits of the year. So if it says DOT 5209, then that tire was manufactured in the last week of 2009. This also means that your tires are about 11 years old, and you should have replaced them five years ago. No matter how much or how little you drive, it would be best if you replaced your tires after they complete six years. This is because, over time, the rubber and construction material degrades, gets dry and cracks. This will lead to a blowout of a puncture.
Don’t Wait: New tires are expensive. But they are the most critical safety feature of your car. So replace them and enjoy a more comfortable ride and improved mileage.