When to Replace Your Tires

Tires wear out two ways: the tread runs low, or the rubber gets old. Here is how to tell.

Check your tread depth

• 2/32" is the legal minimum in most states. At this point the tire is done.
• 4/32" is when wet grip drops off fast, especially on summer tires. Start shopping.
• Penny test – Put a penny in the groove with Lincoln's head down. If you can see the top of his head, you are at 2/32" or less.
• Wear bars – Small raised bars across the grooves. When the tread is flush with them, replace the tire.

Check the age

Find the four-digit date at the end of the DOT code on the sidewall. 1522 means the 15th week of 2022. Rubber hardens with age even if the tread looks fine, and performance compounds lose grip as they harden. Many tire makers recommend a yearly inspection after 5 years and replacement at around 10 years, no matter what.

Signs it is time now

• Cracks in the sidewall or between tread blocks
• Bulges, bubbles or cuts in the sidewall (common after a pothole on low-profile tires)
• Cords or steel showing
• Inner-edge wear – common on lowered cars with extra negative camber; get an alignment too
• New vibration at highway speed that balancing does not fix

Staggered and AWD cars

On staggered setups the rears usually wear faster and can't be rotated to the front, so you may replace them as a pair more often. On AWD cars (WRX, Golf R, RS3, xDrive), keep all four tires matched in size and close in tread depth to protect the drivetrain.

Ready for a new set? Find tire sizes for your car.