Do I Really Need New Tires? How to Tell If Your Tires Are Worn Out

A shop just told you that you need four new tires. Do you actually? In this video, an ASE certified mechanic shows you what worn out tires really look like, how to measure tread depth yourself in about two minutes, how to read the wear pattern across the tire, and how to spot the damage and age problems that make a tire unsafe even when the tread still looks fine. Tread depth is only part of the story. A tire can have plenty of tread left and still need to be replaced because it is ten years old, because the sidewall is cracked, because there is a bulge from a pothole hit, or because it is wearing on one edge from an alignment problem that will eat the new set too. We show you all of it on real tires so you can look at your own and decide with confidence. WHAT WE COVER How to measure tread depth with a gauge, with a penny, and with a quarter, and what the numbers actually mean The 2/32 legal minimum, the 4/32 rule for rain and snow, and why stopping distance in the wet falls apart long before a tire is bald Where to find the tread wear indicator bars molded into the grooves and what it means when the tread is flush with them How to read the DOT date code on the sidewall so you know how old your tires really are Why tires age out around six to ten years even with low mileage, and what dry rot and weather cracking look like Sidewall bulges, blisters, knots, cuts, gouges, and exposed cord, all of which mean replace the tire now Nails, screws, and punctures, which ones can be plugged or patched, and which ones never can Uneven wear patterns and what each one is telling you about the vehicle Inner or outer edge wear from camber and toe alignment problems Center wear from overinflation and both shoulders worn from underinflation Cupping and scalloping from worn struts, shocks, or bad balance Feathered or sawtooth edges from a toe setting that is out How to check that the tires are still the correct size and load rating for your vehicle Why mixing tires or replacing only one on an all wheel drive vehicle can damage the drivetrain Tire rotation intervals and proper inflation, and how they add years to a set Whether tires need to be replaced in pairs or all four, and where new tires should go SYMPTOMS THAT MEAN YOU SHOULD CHECK YOUR TIRES TODAY Hydroplaning or a floating feeling on wet roads Longer stopping distances and the ABS kicking in more than it used to Vibration in the steering wheel or seat at highway speed A humming, roaring, or growling noise that changes with speed The car pulling to one side or wandering in the lane Steering wheel off center after hitting a pothole or curb Visible cracks in the sidewall or between the tread blocks A tire that keeps going low and needs air every week or two Bald patches, exposed steel belts, or a bulge you can feel with your hand Low tire pressure warning light that comes on in cold weather and goes off later in the day Loss of traction pulling away from a stop or in light rain and snow WARNING LIGHTS AND FAULT CODES THAT COME UP The tire pressure monitoring system light is the one most people see first. A steady light usually means one or more tires are low on pressure, while a light that flashes for about sixty to ninety seconds at startup and then stays on usually means a TPMS sensor fault, a dead sensor battery, or a sensor that was never relearned after a tire change. Depending on the vehicle you may also see messages such as Service Tire Monitor System, Tire Pressure Sensor Fault, or Low Tire Pressure Add Air, and stored C codes in the C0750 to C0775 range for tire pressure sensor circuits, plus manufacturer specific TPMS module and relearn codes. Worn tires can also trigger traction control and stability control lights, and mismatched tire circumference on all wheel drive vehicles can set wheel speed sensor and transfer case related codes. This applies to nearly every make and model, including Toyota, Honda, Ford, Chevrolet, GMC, Ram, Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, Nissan, Hyundai, Kia, Subaru, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Volkswagen, Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Tesla, Lexus, Acura, and Infiniti, on cars, trucks, SUVs, vans, and EVs, and to all season, summer, winter, and all terrain tires. Popular searches this video answers: do I need new tires, how to tell if tires are bad, worn out tires, tire tread depth penny test, quarter test tires, 2/32 tread depth, when to replace tires, tire dry rot, how old are my tires DOT code, tire sidewall bulge, uneven tire wear causes, tires worn on inside edge, tire cupping noise, can this tire be plugged, how long do tires last, tire pressure light on, TPMS light flashing, do I need to replace all four tires, bad tire symptoms. For more help, resources, and tools, visit https://www.youcanic.com