Time to Change Tires? How to Know

You’re driving at a steady speed on the highway when you suddenly hear a loud noise. Your heart races as you wonder what could be wrong with your car. After pulling over to the side of the road, you realize that one of your tires has blown out. Changing a tire may not be as difficult as it seems, but it’s still a good idea to know how to do it before you find yourself in this situation.

How to tell when it’s time to change your tires

There are a few ways to tell when it’s time to change your tires. One is by looking at the tread depth. The tread depth is the distance between the top of the tire and the bottom of the tread. To measure tread depth, you can use a tread depth gauge or a penny.

If you use a tread depth gauge, you’re looking for a reading of 4/32nds of an inch or less. If you use a penny, place it upside down on the tread. If you can see all of Lincoln’s head, then it’s time to replace your tires.

Another way to tell if it’s time to change your tires is by looking for cracks, bulges, or cuts in the sidewall. These can be caused by driving over potholes or other objects in the road. If you see any of these, it’s time to get new tires.

Finally, pay attention to how your car is handling. If you notice that it’s taking longer to stop or that it’s harder to keep the car going in a straight line, these could be signs that your tires are worn out and need to be replaced.

If you’re not sure if it’s time to change your tires, you can always take them to an auto body shop and have them inspected.

How to change a tire

If you find yourself with a flat tire, don’t panic. Changing a tire is not as difficult as it may seem. Here’s what you need to do:

  1. Pull over to the side of the road and turn on your hazard lights.
  1. Find a level spot to park your car and set the parking brake.
  1. Loosen the lug nuts on the flat tire but don’t remove them yet.
  1. Place the jack under the car and raise it until the flat tire is off the ground.
  1. Remove the lug nuts and pull the flat tire off of the wheel.
  1. Place the new tire on the wheel and hand-tighten the lug nuts.
  1. Lower the car to the ground and tighten the lug nuts with a wrench.
  1. Replace the hubcap or wheel cover.
  1. Drive to an auto body repair shop to have your tire inspected and properly inflated.


Changing a tire may seem like a daunting task, but it’s actually quite easy once you know how to do it. Just be sure to pay attention to the condition of your tires so you can avoid finding yourself stranded on the side of the road.