Living in South Dakota, we all know that it's dangerous to drive with low tire treads, but how do you know if it's time to replace your tires?
The Service Center at Sioux Falls Ford Lincoln recommends a common method known as "the penny test."
New tires usually come with treads that are 10/32" or 11/32" deep. If your tires are properly inflated, the treads should wear evenly across the side-to-side width of the tire. If your tire is over-inflated, the tread will wear more quickly in the center of the tire. If your tire is under-inflated, the tread will wear more quickly at the outer edges.
To measure your tread depth, take a U.S. penny and follow these steps:
Insert the penny in any crack in the tread of the tire.
Turn the penny so that Lincoln's head is facing downwards into the crack.
If the top of Lincoln's head is visible, you have less than 2/32" left on your tread, which means that you need new tires.
If the tread covers Lincoln's head up to his eyebrows, you may need new tires soon.
If the tread covers more than the top half of Lincoln's head, your tires are good to go.
Because tires may not wear evenly across the tread, make sure to test multiple locations on each of your tires. If you see uneven tread wear, call Sioux Falls Ford Lincoln for an inspection as soon as possible.
If you have any questions regarding tires, please contact us today.
Image courtesy of bridgestonetire.com.