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Need New Tires? Here's How to Know

posted on 9/2/2020 3:19:09 PM

Have your tires seen better days? Are you worried about safe winter driving? If so, you may be in the market for a new set of tires. But, how can you be sure? There is one telltale sign that will help you understand when your tires need to be replaced - and that's tread depth.

Psst - Listen to additional information in the latest All About The Car podcast!

What is Tread Depth?

Tread depth is the measure of the amount of tread on your tires. Tread wears down over time, and watching for low tread is the best way to tell when new tires will soon be needed. Specifically, when there is about 4/32nds of an inch of tread left, it’s time to start thinking about new tires. 2/32nds is the legal tread limit; anything less can be a serious safety hazard on the road.

Measuring Tread Depth

There are a few different ways to monitor the amount of tread on your tires. First, you can eyeball it. A tire with deep grooves and thick tread is probably in pretty good shape. But, if your tires look worn, bald and have shallow grooves, it’s a good idea to seek the opinion of an automotive professional. They can easily tell you whether your tires are in need of replacement.

Another way to check the amount of tread on a tire is to find the tread wear indicators. These are small bumps located across the face of the tread in different intervals throughout the tire. These bumps are placed 2/32nds above the base of the tread, so they depict the legal limit. You can easily compare the tread wear indicators to the height of the surrounding tread to see how worn the tire is. Check out this photo to help you find the tread wear indicators on your tires.

The most accurate way to measure the tread on your tires, however, is with a tread depth gauge. All automotive shops have this tool, and you can buy one yourself if you’d like. Learn how to use and read a tread depth gauge in this article. On new tires, the tread depth measurement will usually be close to 10/32nds or 12/32nds. Keeping in mind the legal limit is 2/32nds, this means most new tires will give you between 8-10/32nds of usable tread. Heavy truck tires, though, can be much thicker and have upwards of 18/32nds of tread when new. Roughly, you can expect to get between 50 – 70,000 miles of use from a new set of tires.

Should I Buy Two New Tires or Four?

It is common for car owners to replace two tires at a time. But, why would two tires be worn out on a car while the other two are still in decent condition? This discrepancy in tread wear typically occurs when the tires are not rotated as often as they should be. Due to front-wheel drive, the tires on the front of the car wear out significantly faster than those on the rear...almost twice as fast, in fact!

For this reason, it is important to regularly rotate your tires. This will help promote even treadwear, increase the mileage and prolong the life of your tires, thus saving you money down the road. Tire rotation every 6,000 miles is a rule of thumb, though it’s a good idea to consult your owner’s manual to find the manufacturer's specifications for your vehicle.

So, back to the question: two new tires, or four? If your car uses front-wheel drive, you can choose to change out two tires at a time. But, if you have an all-wheel drive vehicle, you want to make sure the tread is as even as possible between all four tires. For this reason, it is best to replace the entire set at the same time. View this resource to learn more about proper tire replacement.

What About My Spare Tire?

Most vehicles with a spare tire will have what is called a “temporary spare”. If you ever need to use it, you’ll notice temporary spare tires are a totally different size than the other tires on your car. They are meant to get you down the road to a repair shop and should not be left on the vehicle longer than necessary. It’s a good idea to check your spare tire periodically to be sure is has enough air should you find yourself on the side of the road with a flat.

I’m Ready to Buy Tires. Where Do I Start?

Gathering your thoughts is a great first step when preparing to buy tires. Think about what you want to get out of your tires. What features are most important to you? If you’re unsure, take your driving style into consideration. Do you drive mostly on backroads or the highway? Do you have long commutes to work or do you live close by in town? What kind of weather conditions do you experience? These questions may help you identify the tire qualities you’d benefit from most.

When considering tire features, it is important to keep in mind that not all benefits can be put into a single tire design. In order to gain a certain feature, you need to give up other things. For instance, you may need to choose between better traction and a longer tread life, or precision handling and a smooth ride. If adverse weather handling is what you’re after, you’ll want tires with many sipes – or small grooves – along the tread to grab and hold the road.

While an Associate at your local tire center can help guide you through this process, we suggest giving some thought to these considerations beforehand. The more you know, the better questions you can ask!

When is the Best Time to Buy Tires?

In Wisconsin, many people buy tires in the fall to prepare for driving in adverse winter conditions. But the truth is, there really isn’t a bad time to be in the market for new tread. There are great sales and promotions going on year-round! You can stay up to date on current promotions at Hartje Tire & Service by visiting HartjeTire.com.

If you manage to slide through winter with worn tires, the idea that you’ll be safe on the road until next winter is a common misconception. The rainfall during spring and summer months heightens your risk of hydroplaning on water-covered roadways, especially if you have balding tires. The truth is, driving on worn tires is a hazard no matter the season.

What Size Tire Do I Need?

Now, this is where things can get confusing – there are so many sizes and brands out there, how do you know which is the right fit?

To find the correct tire size your vehicle needs, open the driver door. There will be a placard there containing the manufacturer-specified tire size. The number series will look something like this example: 225/55R 18

The first set of numbers (225 in this instance) represents the section width, or how wide the tire is. This car needs tires that are 225 mm wide. The next set of numbers is the aspect ratio and is often followed by the letter “R”. The aspect ratio of the tire is the percentage of the tire’s width to its height. The larger this number is, the taller the tire. The third set of numbers describes the rim diameter of the tire, and is typically between 12 and 22 inches. In this case, the rim diameter is 18 inches.

Next, you’ll find a grouping of characters that includes numbers and a letter. It may look something like this: 109S. 109 is the metric load index, showing how much weight the tire is designed to carry. The letter, then, is the speed rating. This describes the optimal speed that the tire is designed to operate at. All tires have this, even the ones made for lawnmowers! Once you gather this information, tire shopping becomes much more simple. When you know the size of tire you’re looking for, it’s easy to find viable options with the specific features you need. To learn more about reading the numbers on your tires, check out this helpful article. These graphics from Goodyear are great, too!

We know tire shopping can feel like a hassle. That’s why we make it easy at HartjeTire.com! You can search our wide selection of tires online by size, vehicle, or brand. Plus, our experienced Team is just a phone call away if you need assistance.

Be sure to tune in for the next All About The Car podcast episode where we continue the conversation about Buying Your Next Set of Tires. We’ll see you next time!

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Need New Tires? Here's How to Know

Have your tires seen better days? Are you worried about safe winter driving? If so, you may be in the market for a new set of tires. But, how can you be sure? There is one telltale sign that will help you understand when your tires need to be replaced - and that's tread depth.

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