Is it Time to Replace Your Tires?

Here are a couple of tests you can use to see if it is time to shell out your hard earned moola on a new set of tires. Because who wants new tires if you can get a few more miles out of your current ones, right?! So grab a penny or a quarter and use our methods below, so see if it is time to hit the tire shop.

The Lincoln Penny Test
This is one of the more common ways to check tire tread depth if you don't have a tire gauge at home. Take your penny and put Mr Lincoln's head upside down in the tread of your tire. If you can see all of his head and hair then you have less than 2/32" tread left and it is definitely time for a new set of tires asap. If his head is partly buried, then you can probably get away with waiting a little longer.

The Washington Quarter Test
If you have a quarter available this is a test you should do as well. It is the same as the penny test above but will tell you if you can safely drive in the rain / snow. If George's head is partly buried in the tire tread when you put him in upside down then you are fine. If you can see his entire head, it is time for replacement if driving in winter conditions. 



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​Hydroplaning
In many states, the law requires that tires be changed once there is only 2/32" tread depth left. The penny test can be fine in most situations and is good to see if you are down to the bare minimum. The Quarter test should be used if driving in the rain or snow. As you can see from the picture above, when there is water between the road and your tires, the water needs to be channeled / evacuated out so that the tread comes into contact with the road and are still able to provide traction. If you do not have deep enough tread, then there is no where for the water to go and you end up slipping.  So if you are down to 4/32" tread depth or less, be safe rather than sorry, and get some new tires asap!