Tire Tips & Maintenance

The first and easiest way to check tire tread depth is to look for the tread wear indicator bar. It's a small rubber bar at the bottom of the tire tread grooves. When the tread wear bar becomes flush with the top of the tread, it's time to replace the tires.

To choose new tires, please refer to Giga's Tire Buying Guide for articles on our best sellers and customer favorites.

Check Tire Tread Depth With a Penny

Insert a penny, with Lincoln's head facing down, into the tire tread groove. If you can see all of Lincoln's head, your tire needs to be replaced.

How to Measure Tire Tread Depth?

Use a tread depth gauge to measure tire tread depth - this tool is more precise. To use a tire gauge, place the end of the probe into a tread groove, pressing down on the base of the gauge until it is seated flat against the tread block. The probe in the barrel of the gauge will indicate the tread depth reading.  If the reading shows less than 3 or 4/32nds of an inch, it is time to replace the tires for maximum safety.

Why Checking Tread Wear is Important?

Worn tires affect the control and handling of your car and your safety. As well, if your tires are worn or bald, they are more susceptible to puncture and damage resulting in a flat. You could also get ticketed during a routine traffic stop.

It just takes a minute to see if your tires are ready to be replaced using the penny test or to check with a tread depth gauge. It will give you peace of mind that are your tires are still in good condition.

Troubleshooting Tire Tread Wear

The tread depth on a new tire various on the brand and style of tire. Light truck tires have deeper tread than car tires when new. As a rule of thumb, tires should be replaced if your tread depth is less than 2/32 inch, but this is not always the case. Here are some troubleshooting tips to determine if you should replace your tires.

What Is the Best Tire Tread Depth?

Most passenger car tires have a tread depth of around 10/ 32nds of an inch when new. All-terrain or mud tires have a deeper tread. When you drive on tires, the tread gradually wears down.  When there is 2/32nds of an inch left, the tires are legally worn out, or bald.

What Your Tire Tread Depth Should Be

If your tread depth is less than 2/32 inches it's time to replace your tires - Tires are legally worn out and need to be replaced when they reach 2/32nd of remaining tread depth.

If approaching winter and always driving on wet roads, some people replace their tires when they reach 3/32nds or even earlier. Since water can't be compressed, you need enough tread depth to allow the water to escape through the tire's grooves. The deeper the tread, the more space for the water to evacuate from under the tire.

What 8 32 means for tires

Tires are legally worn out when they reach 2/32nds of remaining tread depth. Since a typical car tire starts life with around 10/32nds of original tread depth, that means there is 8/32nds of useable tread depth.

How Long Does the Average Tire Last?

A tire's tread will last three to four years if you drive a typical number of miles (somewhere around 12,000-15,000 miles/year). The more expensive tires come with tire Manufacturer's mileage warranties. These will give you a give idea of how long the tires will last if you maintain the tires and your vehicle is in good working order.

Help Finding the Right Tires

If you need help finding your tire size, the best tire for your driving conditions, or the best price tire, give Giga Tires customer service a call toll-free at 833-885-8575.

Here are the most important things to check before you leave on a long summer road trip:

1. Check Tire Air Pressure
2. Check Tire Tread
3. Check Spare Tire
4. Check Oil and Fluids
5. Fully Charge your Cell Phone
6. Pack Extra Food and Water

When you are planning a summer road trip, you are thinking of what to pack, what stops to make and the route you’ll take. Tires may be the last thing on your mind, but a few minutes prior to leaving can help keep you and your passengers safe, and avoid unplanned delays for a tire repair or other maintenance.

Check tire air pressure:

Very few people know how to properly check air pressure even though it’s easy and not at all time consuming. All you need is a very basic air pressure gauge. Unscrew the valve cover and firmly press the gauge over the valve to measure the pressure. Compare your measurement to the information on the sticker on the inside of the driver’s door. If the tires have low air pressure, you can inflate them at your nearest service station.

Check tread depth:

Badly worn tires can compromise road grip and handling so it is important to check the amount of tread on your tires. When there is only 2/32nds of an inch left, the tires are legally worn out, or bald.  If this is the case, not only is there a potential safety issue, but you could even be ticketed at a routine traffic stop!

There are two ways to check tire tread depth. The first is the “penny test”.  Insert a penny into the tire tread groove, with Lincoln’s head facing down. If you can see the top of his head, then your tires are at 2/3nds of an inch or less, and you need new tires.  If you want a more precise measurement, use a tread depth gauge. These cost about $3 to $8 at any auto parts retail store. To use, place the end of the probe into a tread groove, pressing down on the base of the gauge until it is seated flat against the tread block. The probe in the barrel of the gauge will indicate the tread depth reading. If the reading shows less than 3 or 4/32nds of an inch, then it is getting close to time to replace the tires for maximum safety on the roads.

Check the Spare Tire:

Spare tires are usually out of sight, and out of mind, so we forget that they need periodic maintenance as well. Tires can lose up to 2 lbs of pressure every month so it’s important to check the spare at the same time you check the other tires. While you’re at it, check the sidewall of the tire for any visible signs of cracking in the sidewall. If the tire is over 10 years old, and the cracks are deep, you will need to replace the tire.

Check wheel alignment and rotate tires:

If you see any signs of irregular wear in the tread, then you may be in need of wheel alignment.  This will help your vehicle handling, as well as prolong the life of your tires. Your tires should be rotated at least twice a year, or every five to six thousand miles.

If you need to replace any of your tires, and dont need 4 tires replaced, be sure to match up the new tires with what you have on the vehicle. The same brand, tire style and size will ensure safe and predictable handling. You can find your tire size on the sidewall, and with the easy search feature on Giga-tires.com, it’s easy to find the tires you need at a price to fit your budget.

Other Easy Maintenance Checks and Recommendations to Stay Safe:

Like your tires, failure to check the fluid levels in your vehicle, could lead to problems. On hot summer days, over-heating is always a possibility if you are short on coolant. You know there is enough coolant in the radiator if there is some liquid in the over-flow resevoir. If the resevoir is dry, you should fill it up and make sure the hose reaches to the bottom of the container.  When you start your vehicle, compresion will suck the coolant from the resevoir into the radiator.

In addition to doing the above tire and fluid checks before you leave, you should also be prepared for extended delays due to traffic, accidents or a mechanical break-down. In the summer, this means extra water and snacks to keep everyone comfortable while waiting.

Check wheel alignment by observing your tires - uneven or rapid tire wear means your wheels need alignment. Also, if your vehicle is pulling to the left or right, or if your steering wheel is off-center when driving straight, your wheels are out of alignment.

Proper alignment helps your vehicle handling, and prolongs the life of your tires.

How Much Does Vehicle Alignment Service Cost?

If the tires exhibit signs of uneven wear than you should go to your nearest service garage. Many service shops will not charge to check your alignment on a machine because the equipment in the service bays make it relatively easy to run the report. Only if the vehicle needs an alignment, will you be charged. The going rate for a four wheel vehicle alignment varies depending on the part of the country, but usually it is in the range of $75 to $125 for them to align your wheels.

How Often Tires Should Be Rotated?

Tires should be rotated every five to six thousand miles, or at least twice a year.

Signs of Bad Alignment

Vibration and shaking as you drive your car are signs of a bad alignment. This happens as your wheels pull against each other instead of rolling in exactly the same direction.

An off-center steering wheel while driving straight ahead is another sign that your wheels are out of alignment. This happens because your vehicle is tracking to the left or right, and you need to offset this tendancy by turning the wheel slightly in the opposite direction to the pull.

Most common signs of poor alignment include:

1. Vehicle pulling to the left or right.
2. Uneven or rapid tire wear.
3. Your steering wheel is off-center when driving straight.
4. Squealing tires.

What Causes a Car to Shake?

Poor wheel alignment and tires that are out of balance can cause your car to shake. If your tires are out of balance the shaking starts at around 50 miles per hour (mph), and gets worse around 60 mph. The shaking may actually go away at higher speeds. If the cause of the shake is poor wheel alignment, the shaking is more commonly consistant at all speeds.

What Causes Wheels to Go Out of Alignment?

A sudden heavy impact or collision, such as hitting a pothole, bumping a curb or experiencing a road accident may cause your wheels to go out of alignment. Worn parts caused by wear and tear also affect alignment. Over time, parts such as suspension springs can become worn and slack, leading to a shift in the wheel alignment.

Can I Replace Just One Tire on My Car?

If your car's other tires have lost only 2/32 or up to maybe 4/32 of their original tread depth, it's acceptable to replace just the worn tire. Learn more about how to check tire depth to be sure the other tires are in the acceptable range.

If you do not replace all four tires, be sure to match up the new tires with what you have on the vehicle. Use the same brand, tire style and size to ensure safe and predictable handling. You can find your tire size on the sidewall, and with the easy search feature on Giga-tires.com, it’s easy to find the tires you need at a price to fit your budget.

Need Help With Your Tire Size?

If you need help finding your tire size, give us a call toll-free at 866-943-4442