We are nearly halfway through the month of November and if you haven’t seen snow yet, we have a feeling that it won’t be much more time before you do. It is inevitable that you’ll have to drive in the snow, ice, or both before the summer weather comes back to us. That’s why it is important to ensure that your vehicle is in tip-top shape, especially your vehicle’s tires. Your vehicle’s tires have a lifespan just like anything else, and once they’re gone it is extremely dangerous to drive on!

When your vehicle stops and goes it is not just because of the brakes and gas. In fact, your vehicle’s tires play a big role in bringing your car to a halt and going. In order for your car to move and not slide everywhere, your tires must have tread. The thicker your tread is the better grip your tires will have. If your tread is almost gone or bald, this means you could experience extreme slipping and sliding. In the winter months, it is important to have a thick tread, especially since snow and ice cause you to slip anyway. If your tire tread is fresh, you have a much better chance of stopping and less chance of an accident.

If you are unsure if your tire tread is in good condition, you can bring it into our service center and we can check your tires, rotate your tires, or replace your tires. If you are more of a DIY person, there are several ways to check your tire tread. One of the simplest, most common ways to check tread depth requires nothing more than a penny and a few moments of your time. Check out all you need to know below!

About The Tread:

• In the United States, tire tread depth is measured in 32nds of an inch.
• New tires typically come with 10/32” or 11/32” tread depths, and some truck, SUV and winter tires may have deeper tread depths than other models
• The U.S. Department of Transportation recommends replacing tires when they reach 2/32”

The Penny Test:

• The idea of the penny test is to check whether you’ve hit the 2/32” threshold
• Place a penny between the tread ribs on your tire.
• 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”
• If you can see his entire head, it may be time to replace the tire because your tread is no longer deep enough.

It’s that simple! If you have any question, feel free to give our service department a call. If you think it may be time to buy new tires, check out our service specials page and help keep some money in your pocket!