Do I Need New Tires?

The lifespan of your tires can vary on a plethora of different factors. Road conditions, climate, driving habits and tire pressure are just a few things that can affect how long your tires will last. There is no specific date or time for when you should think about replacing your tires, but here’s a list of factors to consider.

Road Conditions: 

• Potholes
• Speed Bumps
• Curbs
• Sharp Objects
• Construction Zones

Climate:

• Extreme Temperatures – hot or cold
• Rain, Snow and Ice
• Strong Sunlight

Physical Factors: 

• Age
• Wear/Damage

Driving Habits:

• Emergency Braking
• Driving on Damaged Roads
• Speeding
• Quick Starts
• Neglecting Noises or Vibrations

Failure to Follow Up with Basic Tire Maintenance/Improper Usage:

• Air Pressure
• Wheel Alignments/Rotations
• Mixing Tire Types
• Using a Spare for Extended Periods of Time
• Using Summer Tires in the Winter on Snow and Ice

What can you do to check them yourself? The Penny Test!

One easy way to check for wear is by using the penny test. All you have to do is grab your spare change and follow 3 easy steps.

1. Take a penny and hold Abe’s body between your thumb and forefinger.
2. Select a point on your tire where the tread appears the lowest and place Lincoln’s head into one of the grooves.
3. If any part of Abe Lincoln’s head is covered by the tread, you’re driving with the legal and safe amount of tread. If your tread gets below that (approximately 2/32 of an inch), your vehicle’s ability to grip the road in adverse conditions is greatly reduced.

When deciding if you need new tires or not, a good rule of thumb is 5-6 years. All of these factors, plus more, will affect if it is time to replace them. In the meantime, we suggest bringing your vehicle in to a professional to have checked at least once a year. It’s recommended to never let your tires hit 10 years! 

Visit our Mazda Tire Center for new tires!