6 Tell-Tale Signs You Need To Replace Your Tires--Unless You Want To Drive Like This Guy...

With winter coming up in a few months, it's a good idea to give your tires a good check to see if they need to be replaced, especially if you are not planning to have winter ones put on. 

But how do you know when it's time to replace them? 

Here are some tips that will help you:

1. Measure thickness of tread: The tread on your tires should never fall below 1/16 of an inch (or 1.6 millimetres). For proper traction on the roads, it is best to have at least double that. To check, you can buy a tread meter that will give you an accurate reading, or you can use the penny method: Take a Canadian penny, and place it in the main groove of the tread with the Queen's crown facing down. If you can see the top of the crown, you need to replace your tires. Refer to the chart below for further information.

Tread Depth	Action
6/32"	Your tires have sufficient tread depth
5/32"	Consider replacing your tires if wet road conditions are a concern
4/32" to 3/32"	You should consider a tire replacement or monitor closely
2/32" (1.5mm)	Your tires are considered legally bald and need to be replaced

Graph from Canadian Tire

2. Check the tread wear indicators: Most tires today have tread wear indicators, which are flat rubber bars that run horizontally across the tread of the tire. When the tires are new, the indicators are not visible; however, they become visible when the tires start to wear down. If one or two of these indicators begin to show, then your tires are beginning to ear down.

Tread wear indicators, as seen blocked off by the red squares.

4. Look for any uneven tread wear: Uneven tread wear can indicate issues apart from simple tire wear, such as alignment. If you spot this on your tires, have a mechanic do a series of checks to determine what underlying issue is causing the uneven tread wear before you have new one's installed.

AAA: When to replace your tires

5. Check the sidewalls: It's important to check the sidewalls of your tires for any bulges, cracks, or bubbles. If there is such damage, your tires need replacing--and you should have that taken care off sooner rather than later. Such damage can be caused by having driven through a pothole, driving with low air pressure, or other issues. Whatever the cause, driving with cracks or bulges in the sidewalls is dangerous.

6. Minimum every 6 Years: The minimum time to replace your tires is ever six years, with the maximum ten years. Check your owners manual for specific requirements and recommendations, and always lean to the side of caution and overall safety for you and your passengers.