You know your car tires have worn out once they start making the screeching noise on the turns, especially when you’re going under the speed limit!
But why wait ‘til that very moment to replace your car tires? If left unchecked, you could be in for a slippery ride, for real!
Solution? If you’re living in or near Main St Winchester, you can schedule your tire checks with The Castle Tire Shop. We are the only tire shop in Winchester that offers affordable and quality second-hand tires and has a specialization in high-end car brands.
Don’t be disheartened if you’re far away, though; for in this article we would be outlining a few practical measures you can use to check your car tires regularly. This would ensure that you and your family are safe whilst traveling.
Without further ado, let’s highlight some fun ways you can use to inspect your car tires in under a minute!
● Do you have a Penny?
A penny might be losing its financial value, but it is a valuable and versatile tool to have with you. One peculiar area where it might help you is with checking your tire treads.
But hold up.
What are tire treads, you ask?
Do you see those cuts and grooves on your car tires? Those are tire treads. They help your car maintain traction under different weather conditions.
To check the rubber of your tire with a penny, simply put the penny upside down (with Sir Lincon’s head) inside the tread. If you see the Lincon’s head on your penny, it’s time to change those tires.
We’ll explain how at the end of this article. So, keep reading.
And you can grab yourself two pairs of affordable and doable tires at the Castle Tire Shop: the best tire shop in Winchester.
● Have you looked at your tire’s wear bars?
Before we delve into this particular method, here’s a piece of information for people who aren’t gearheads per se.
Every tire has tread blocks. Between these blocks are small lines of rubber. These lines are ‘wear bars’.
These wear bars run perpendicular to the channels in any tire. Once the channels (the small gaps in the tire) are even with these bars, it’s time for a change.
● Have you Heard About the Quarter Test?
You might question: What’s the difference between a penny and a quarter test?
Let’s understand basic mathematics, first.
Penny is smaller than a quarter (in size). To be precise, the distance between the edge to the head on the penny is 2/3rd of an inch, whereas 4/3rd of an inch on a quarter.
Why does that matter? Well, a report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) suggests that tires with tread worn down to 2/3rd of an inch (penny size) aren’t safe and should be replaced.
Now, to put this to practice, you have to place the quarter with the head first in the tire tread. If you can see Sir Washington’s head, you should start looking for tire replacement options.
That’s because your tires, at this point, aren’t completely worn out, but they’ll soon be.
Closing Word
So, if you have a penny or a quarter, you can check your tire’s health in under a minute. You don’t need any fancy equipment or wait until your tires start screeching on the corners.
But if you’re short on change, or have determined that your car needs a new set of tires, visit the nearest tire shop in Winchester and let the experts do what they do best: Check, suggest, and replace.
Until next time.
Contact us today or stop by at 786 Main St in Winchester, MA to schedule an appointment with our local tire shop!