Can Your Your Tires Handle Another Horrendous Washington Winter? Penny Test.

Are your tires ok for another winter in the PNW? Sadly, I have no idea. I'm embarrassed to admit that I don't know anything about car tires. I don't know how much air is supposed to be in one. I know that I have a tire gauge in my glove compartment. I think the last time I saw it was when I moved items from my old vehicle into the new one, when I purchased it.

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Sad, I know. So, I googled "Signs you need new tires." There were many. And most referred to the Penny Test.

What is the Penny Test?

Am I a bad vehicle owner for not knowing about the penny test? I asked three men in the office. They all knew. Two women did not. Get your penny. Choose a groove in the tire and place the penny in, upside down. Lincoln should be headfirst, upside down, into the groove. Do this in several grooves. If any part of his head is hidden by the tread, your tires are good. If you always see the top of his head, it's time to replace them.

The benefit of tread:

Difficulty Driving

If you have difficulty braking, stopping, or maneuvering your vehicle on wet roads, you may need new tires. Your tires may be out of alignment or the metal belts inside can slip.

Old age

If your tires are over ten years old, most tire manufacturers recommend replacing them. Some even suggest replacing at six years.

Visible Cords

If you see the cords, you're running on borrowed time. The tire is unsafe for driving and will ultimately fail. I had a blow-out on Interstate 35 in Duluth, MN. It was very scary.

Tire pressure light is on

This vehicle feature lets you know when your tires need air. If the light comes on a lot, have a mechanic check out the issue.