Tires wear out slowly, so it is easy to miss the point where they stop being safe. Here is how to check yours and know when it is time to replace them.

Check the tread depth

Tread channels water away so your tires can grip the road. In the United States, the legal minimum is 2/32 of an inch, but grip in the wet drops off well before that.

The penny test: put a penny into a tread groove with Lincoln's head pointing down. If you can see the top of his head, your tread is at or below 2/32 and the tire should be replaced. Most new passenger tires start around 10/32 to 11/32.

Watch the tread wear indicators

Every tire has small raised bars set into the grooves. When the tread wears down level with those bars, the tire is at the 2/32 limit and it is time for a new one.

Consider the age of the tire

Rubber hardens and cracks over time, even on a tire that still has tread. Many manufacturers suggest replacing tires around six years old and no later than ten years, regardless of mileage. You can read the age from the DOT code on the sidewall: the last four digits are the week and year it was made.

Other signs it is time

• Uneven wear, such as one edge balding faster, often points to alignment or inflation problems.
• Cracks or bulges in the sidewall mean the tire should be replaced right away.
• Vibration or pulling while driving can signal a tire or alignment issue worth checking.

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