2007-02-24 11:06:46 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
There is a legal requirement in most places.
It is called a wear-bar, and it is found between the treads as a solid, raised, piece of rubber
When the tire is new it is well below the top of the tread. As the treads wear down, the tread gets closer to the wear bar and, and once they match, it is legally required that you replace the tire.
Whether you should wait that long is an open question. If you liked the performance of your tires when they were new, but now feel that your tires are nor performing as well as they did before, then that is probably the very best reason for replacing them.
When a tire reaches the wear bar they are usually not able to dispel water nearly as well as before, so they may still be legally safe, but they are not your best bet.
I have often asked people what are the four most important safety features on the car they drive.
Some get annoyed when I tell them the truth. Seat belts and air bags are definitely of value, but you do not benefit from them every day.
Brakes and steering you need all day, and every day, so they are important, but both of those are worthless if they lose their ability to apply your intentions to the road: brakes and steering are totally dependent on your tires.
Now, considering that the four most important safety features on your car, and every other car, are black and round, perhaps you should pay more attention to them.
2007-02-24 11:24:28 · answer #1 · answered by Ef Ervescence 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi there, If the sidewall of the tire is bulging or the cords of the tire are starting to show, or you have an almost smooth surface to the tread, then it might be time to look into buying some new tires. If the centre tread depth is 1/4 inch or less then the tire has reached the end of its safe life use. You can determine this quite easily if you take a dime and insert it into the center tread while holding it between your thumb and index finger then bring it out after you have slid your fingers down to the tread it should give you a reasonalbly accurate reading of the remaining tread. Some tires are made with wear bars these wear bars run across the tread and when the tire is worn out these bars will join one line of tread to its neighbor. If you see this then its time to buy new tires.
2007-02-24 11:17:10 · answer #2 · answered by Tom M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Look at the treads, there will be a tread wear indicator, these are small rubber bars that appear in between the regular tread, if your tread is worn down to the little bars then it is time to replace the tire. On most tires there will be a mark on the outer edge of the tire, so you can find the bar.... sometimes it is a small triangle, on michelin tires it is a small michelin man.
2007-02-24 11:17:29 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's called the penny test. Place the Penny in the tread head down, if you can see the space between the top of Lincoln's head and the edge of the penny it's time to buy new tires.
2007-02-24 11:26:41 · answer #4 · answered by Just Me 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Stick a penny in the middle of the tread (Lincoln's head first) if you can see any space between his head and the tire....you need new ones, that is unless you have uneven wear from being out of line.
2007-02-24 11:11:29 · answer #5 · answered by raggnaar 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If the treading, or the raised parts on the tire look like they have wore down, or become very smooth. If they are smooth or "bald" you need to take care of it right away. You won't have traction, and you could have a blow out. Not safe.
2007-02-24 11:10:34 · answer #6 · answered by Cute as button72886 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
take a penny and put it in the tread and if you can see the top of lincolns head then its time for tires.
2007-02-24 11:12:09 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋