Key Takeaways
Inspect Your Tires Monthly As Damage Isn't Always Obvious
Look for bulges, cracks, gouges, and uneven tread wear. Damage on the section of tire touching the ground can be easy to miss, so a full spin inspection by a mechanic is worth it if something looks off.
Low Tread And Under-Inflation Are Serious Safety Risks
Use the penny test or wear bars to check tread depth; worn tires are more likely to blow out. Tires lose about 1 PSI per month (faster in cold weather), and rapid pressure loss in one tire can signal a crack or rim damage — while under-inflated tires in summer heat flex more, wear faster, and increase blowout risk.
Don't Ignore How Your Car Feels On The Road
Vibration or thumping while driving can point to unbalanced rear tires or suspension problems — and those issues become more dangerous at highway speeds. When it's time to replace tires, do so in pairs or all four at once for better traction and a safer ride.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), tire failure causes around 11,000 car crashes each year. The NHTSA recommend doing a quick tire inspection once a month to see if you need new tires.
How To Tell If You Need New Tires: What To Look For
1. Bulges, gouges or cracks
When a tire deflates, it bulges at the sides. If you see cracks in the sidewall, gouges or anything that looks odd, immediately take it to a trusted mechanic.
Gashes on the tread may be easy to miss. When you park, don't forget about the section of tread that's now touching the road! That's why you should consider having the car lifted, so that a mechanic can free-spin the tire and examine the whole tread.
2. Tread wear
One of the best ways to tell if you need new tires is the old-school penny test: Place a penny into the tread, with Lincoln’s head pointing down. If you can still see the top of his head, the tread is dangerously low. Most modern tires, however, have wear bars: bits of rubber woven into the pattern at a specific depth. You can find the wear bars that go across the groove, and if the tread pattern is worn down to that wear bar, you need to replace your tire.
Failing to replace a bald tire will eventually lead to a blowout, which can send your car straight into oncoming traffic. Saving a few hundred bucks is never worth your vehicle!
3. Tire Pressure
Tires deflate at a rate of about one pound per square inch (PSI) per month. This loss will accelerate during cold, winter months.
However, if one tire is deflating far quicker than the others, you have one of two issues: (A) Your tire has a small crack, or (B) the rims are busted. Busted rims will lead to a small gap between it and the tire: causing excessive air leakage, and the car feeling "wobbly" on the highway.
4. Temperature Changes
Cold weather lowers tire pressure, but summer heat creates its own hazard. Under-inflated tires are especially risky in hot weather because they flex more while rolling, generating excess heat that speeds up wear and raises the risk of a blowout on long roadtrips.
Not to mention, extra rolling resistance hurts your fuel economy. Save your life and your wallet!
5. Vibration
Watch out for vibration or thumping when you’re driving. If it feels like it’s coming from under the seats, the rear tires may be out of balance. Vibration from the steering wheel could indicate suspension issues.
Vibrations are difficult to notice at lower speeds, but can be fatal on the highway. If you're ever driving and begin feeling vibrations: slow down, turn on hazard lights, and immediately look for an off-ramp.
When it’s time to replace your tires: do so in pairs or all four at a time for better performance, traction and, ultimately, a safer ride.
From a flat tire to a dead battery, be ready for anything with GEICO’s 24-hour Emergency Roadside Service.
TIP: Buy An Electric Tire Inflator
You can buy a small tire pump off of Amazon for between $20 to $60. Keep one of these in your trunk and one day you'll be grateful for it!