How to Check Tires for Wear

Maintaining correct tire pressure is important for safety as well as gas mileage, and proper tread depth is necessary for traction. Incorrect tire pressure can cause a driver to lose control of a vehicle as can too little tread. Save money by saving fuel, and maintain accurate tire pressure. In addition, the ways in which tires wear are problem indicators. The following tips will show you how to check and care for your tires in an effort to diagnose potential problems, and they will help save money while sustaining safety on the road.

Checking Pressure

Approximately once a month, check tires for unusual wear and accurate pressure, especially during winter months when temperatures are generally cooler. Tire pressure can drop considerably during the colder months of winter.

Don't count on accurate tire pressure if the vehicle has been driven within the past four hours. Allow the tires to become cold before gauging the pressure. Look for the pounds per square inch (PSI) rating on the sidewalls of the tires, and take the vehicle to the nearest service station to add air if necessary. In addition, don't forget to occasionally check the pressure of your spare tire since you never know when you might need it.

Don't rely on the accuracy of the gauge attached to the air compressor hose at the service station. It could be inaccurate since it's exposed to the elements and frequently used. Buy a quality air pressure gauge, and keep it in the vehicle at all times. You'll be able to attain an accurate reading no matter where you are.

Checking Tread Depth

A Lincoln penny is worth more than one cent if you don't have a gauge to check tread depth. Although a depth gauge is handy and provides an accurate measurement of depth, it isn't completely necessary. To check your tires with a Lincoln penny, place the penny headfirst into a groove. If the top of Lincoln's head is visible, the tread is below one-sixteenth of an inch. Tires with such shallow tread are seriously in need of replacement.

Visual Inspections