Thursday, September 12, 2013

When to change your tires & how a penny might save you $ in the long run.





 


While the seasons get set to change once again now is a great time to decide if you could use some new tires on your vehicle or not.  The real question becomes how do you tell if you actually need them?  Well here are a few tips we compiled that shed some light on that very question:

  • When the tread is worn down to 2/32 of an inch, tires must be replaced.
  • All tires have “wear bars,” which are small, raised bars of rubber in the groove that indicate when tires are worn out. If your tread is worn down to the wear bars, it’s time for a new tire.
 
 If that still doesn't answer the question try this neat little trick:

  1. Take a penny and put Lincoln’s head into one of the grooves of the tire tread. If part of his head is covered by the tread, you’re driving with the legal amount of tread.
  2. If you can see all of Lincoln’s head, it’s time to replace the tire.
 

 
If all else fails try the eye test.  Visually check your tires for signs of uneven wear. You may have irregular tread wear if there are high and low areas or unusually smooth areas. Also make sure no nails or other objects are embedded in the tire. Consult your tire dealer from there.  While the cost of tires is something none of love the idea of paying for it really can make all the difference in the world in regards to keeping you safe as we approach the winter.

For more information visit www.pinnacle4ins.com or call the office at 412-816-1000.