Your tires are the only part of your vehicle that actually touches the road. Four small contact patches, each about the size of your hand, are responsible for helping you accelerate, steer and stop safely. Yet tires are one of the most overlooked maintenance items on a vehicle.
One of the easiest ways to check your tires at home is with the classic penny test. Insert a penny into the tread with Lincoln’s head facing downward. If you can see the top of his head, your tread is worn to the point where it’s time to begin shopping for new tires. Even better, use a tread depth gauge. Most experts recommend replacing tires when they reach 2/32 of an inch, although replacing them earlier can provide significantly better traction during Florida’s heavy rainstorms.
Look beyond tread depth, too. Walk around your vehicle and inspect each tire. Do you notice cracks in the sidewalls? Bulges? Cuts? Uneven wear? Any of these can indicate problems that should be evaluated before they become safety hazards. Uneven wear can also point to alignment or suspension issues that, if corrected early, may dramatically extend the life of your next set of tires.
Another important question is whether all four tires actually match. Tires with different tread patterns, sizes, or levels of wear can affect braking, handling, ride quality and traction—especially during emergency maneuvers or wet weather. On many all-wheel-drive vehicles, replacing only one tire can actually damage the drivetrain because the system expects all four tires to rotate at nearly the same speed. That’s why many manufacturers recommend replacing all four tires together or shaving a new tire to match the tread depth of the others.
Many drivers are surprised to learn that tires have an expiration date. Even if they still have plenty of tread, the rubber naturally hardens and deteriorates from sunlight, heat, ozone, and time. Check the DOT number molded into the sidewall. The last four digits tell you when the tire was manufactured. For example, “2323” means the tire was built during the 23rd week of 2023. Most manufacturers recommend having tires professionally inspected once they reach about six years of age.
Don’t forget to check your tire pressure at least once a month. A tire that’s underinflated by just a few pounds can wear prematurely, reduce fuel economy, and increase stopping distance. Florida’s changing temperatures and long highway drives make regular pressure checks especially important.
Finally, pay attention to how your vehicle feels while driving. Vibrations, pulling to one side, increased road noise, or longer stopping distances are your car’s way of telling you something isn’t right. Catching a problem early often means a less expensive repair…and a much safer drive.
A five-minute tire inspection every month is one of the easiest ways to protect your family, improve your vehicle’s performance, and avoid unexpected expenses down the road.
Carryl Tire
1840 Blanding Boulevard • Jacksonville, FL
904-634-5660
Publisher’s Note: Carryl Tire has built one of Jacksonville’s finest reputations by doing business the old-fashioned way, with honesty, expertise, and genuine care for every customer. Whether you need a simple tire repair, a complete set of tires, an alignment, or trusted advice about your vehicle, the experienced professionals at Carryl Tire take the time to explain your options and recommend only what you truly need. That’s why generations of Ortega and Riverside Avondale families continue to trust Carryl Tire to keep them safely on the road.
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