How to Tell When Your Tires Need Replacing

Worn tires reduce traction, increase stopping distance, and raise blowout risk — and the warning signs are easy to check yourself in just a few minutes.

The penny test for tread depth

Insert a penny into the tread groove with Lincoln's head facing down. If you can see all of Lincoln's head, the tread is worn below the generally recommended minimum and the tire needs replacing soon.

Look for uneven wear patterns

• Wear concentrated on one edge can indicate an alignment issue
• Wear in the center only can indicate overinflation
• Wear on both outer edges with less in the center can indicate underinflation
• Cupping or scalloped wear patterns can point to a suspension problem

Check for visible damage

• Sidewall cracking, often from age or extended UV exposure, even on tires with plenty of remaining tread
• Bulges or bubbles in the sidewall, which indicate a serious structural issue and should be addressed immediately
• Any exposed cords or belts through the tread
• Embedded objects like nails or screws

Tire age matters even with good tread

Rubber degrades over time regardless of mileage — many manufacturers recommend replacing tires after roughly 6-10 years regardless of remaining tread depth. You can check a tire's manufacture date from the DOT code on the sidewall.

When buying a used car, check tire condition closely — a car that needs a full set of new tires soon should factor into your price negotiation, since a full set is a meaningful expense.