Have you heard of the penny test for your car’s tires? Clark’s Professional Car Care knows that it is important for car owners to be able to spot the things their car needs easily, and the penny test fits that bill. Here’s how you do it.
Park Your Car in a Safe, Level Spot
Once you’re ready to get an idea how the tread on your tires is holding up, you need to do a little bit of prep work. Park in a level spot that’s safe for you to move around to each tire. You might want to make sure your parking brake is engaged, just for added safety.
Grab a Penny and Make Sure You Hold it Properly
Next you need a penny. Any penny will do, as long as you can see Abraham Lincoln clearly. To do the penny tire test properly, you need to hold the penny so that it’s facing you with Abe’s head upside down. Then you simply hold the penny against the tire, between the tread rows. If your tread is still good, you won’t see much of Abraham Lincoln’s head. If you need new tires, you’ll be able to see the top of his head clearly, with space to spare.
There Are Other Tests, Too
The penny test isn’t the only one that tells you whether you need new tires or not, it’s just easy to grab a penny. There are also tire tread gauges that you can find in just about any auto parts store that can tell you how much tread you have down to 1/16th of an inch. Or you can look at your tires, and when you see the tread wear marks, get to a mechanic.
Protect Your Tires Once You Replace Them
If you’ve got new tires, you need to know how to protect them. Make sure that you get them rotated when you get your oil changed. Pay attention to what you drive over, too. Hitting curbs, debris, and potholes often can do some damage. Also, your own driving habits can be damaging to your tires, so watch acceleration and how fast you expect to brake when it’s time to stop.
Want help diagnosing your tires? Clark’s Professional Car Care in Pascagoula, MS is here for you. Give us a call and we’ll be happy to professionally examine your tires and recommend the right next step for your car.
