Tires
Don't Be Left Flat
Is It Time To Re-Tire?
It's imperative that you make sure your tires are in safe driving condition. Here's one of several ways you can be sure. To determine if it's time to replace your tires, you can use the Penny Test. It's a simple and effective method. And all you'll need is a penny and a few minutes of spare time. Let's walk through the steps below.
How to Perform the Penny Test
Place a penny between the tread ribs on your tire. A "rib" refers to the raised portion of tread that spans the circumference of your tire. Tire tread is composed of several ribs.
Turn the penny so that Lincoln's head points down into the tread.
See if the top of his head disappears between the ribs. If it does, your tread is still above 2/32 of an inch. If you can see his entire head, it may be time to replace the tire because your tread is no longer deep enough.
Specials
Other Things To Keep In Mind
Air Pressure
Maintaining the recommended level of air pressure in your tires not only puts less strain on your engine and other related components, but it also preserves the life of your tires. Most importantly, it allows them to provide your vehicle with the best level of performance possible. That means you get to enjoy a more exciting and smooth ride. Regardless of each tire's physical condition, improper air pressure will cause it to miss the mark on performance -- or even damage the tire.There are a few different ways your tires' air pressure levels can change. Even something as simple as the outside temperature can affect tire pressure. As the weather cools, air contracts and reduces pressure (and vice versa). So you'll want to check the air pressure routinely.