When It Is Time for New TiresVarious factors, such as maintenance, temperatures,driving speeds, vehicle loading, and road conditions,influence when you need new tires.One way to tell when it istime for new tires is tocheck the treadwearindicators, which appearwhen your tires haveonly 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) orless of tread remaining.Some commercialtruck tires may not havetreadwear indicators.You need new tires if any of the following statementsare true:• You can see the indicators at three or more placesaround the tire.• You can see cord or fabric showing through thetire’s rubber.• The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut, or snaggeddeep enough to show cord or fabric.• The tire has a bump, bulge, or split.• The tire has a puncture, cut, or other damage thatcannot be repaired well because of the size orlocation of the damage.The rubber in tires degrades over time, even if they arenot being used. This is also true for the spare tire, ifyour vehicle has one. Multiple conditions affect how fastthis aging takes place, including temperatures, loadingconditions, and inflation pressure maintenance. Withproper care and maintenance tires will typically wear outbefore they degrade due to age. If you are unsureabout the need to replace your tires as they get older,consult the tire manufacturer for more information.5-70
