Are bald tires really that bad in the winter?

Posted on December 2, 2020 in Maintenance, Tire Repair

We get it—replacing bald tires can be an expensive and time-consuming process. But it's important to make sure your tires are safe for whatever this New England winter holds. Here's our best advice for evaluating your tires.

When should I replace a bald tire?

You can easily tell if your tires’ tread is too worn using an old trick—The Penny Test. To perform the penny test, slide a penny between the tread blocks of a tire with Lincoln’s head upside down. If you can't see Lincon's head, your tires are in good shape. If you can see the top of Lincoln's head, that means your tread depth is under the recommended minimum of 6/32 of an inch and it's time for a replacement. You should monitor your tires closely as they will likely attention in the near future.

If your tires are truly bald, the penny might not even stick between grooves that are too worn—or you might not find an adequate groove to perform the test in the first place. Once the treads begin to look smoothed and the grooves become faded, you need to replace them right away.

Read more: Here’s Why Bald Tires Are Dangerous

Can I still drive if my tires are bald?

If your tires are bald you won't be able to drive well, or safely. Driving with bald tires will drastically increase your vehicle's stopping distance, especially when roads are wet, making you more likely to get into an accident. Driving on snow or ice with bald tires is especially dangerous. Without proper traction, you're more likely to cause an accident, putting your passengers, other motorists, pedestrian, and yourself at risk.

At V&F

The frightening truth is that more than 1 out of every 10 vehicles on the road has at least one bald tire. You should have your technicians regularly inspect your tires, ideally at every oil change, to check your tires regularly for irregular wear and other exterior damage such as cuts, cracks, or bulges. If you do discover damage or need your tires replaced, give us a call. All of our auto repair services are backed by an industry-leading 3-year / 36,000-mile warranty on parts and labor. Contact us at (413) 314-2280 or schedule an appointment online.