Celebrate National Tire Safety Week with the Penny Test

  May 11, 2017

According to the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA), National Tire Safety Week 2017 is coming up: May 28th – June 3rd.  They describe this week as an, “initiative to rally the tire industry in a focused effort to help drivers learn simple yet essential steps to maintain their tires.”

Tires are one of the biggest investments you make in your vehicle. Experts consider tires to be among the most important components in ensuring that your vehicle performs well and handles safely. Maintaining proper tire inflation is a very important aspect of tire maintenance, so it is important to check your tire pressure regularly.

Though you may have noticed a tire pressure number stamped on the tire, but that number is actually the maximum pressure, not the pressure you should use. You will find the proper tire pressure for your tires in your owner’s manual. Tire pressure can be measured very easily with a tire gauge; even the newer digital models are not very expensive to purchase.

Take the Penny Test

You should also regularly check your tire tread depth with the Penny Test. Follow these easy steps:

  1. Hold a penny so that “In God We Trust” appears across the top. Insert it into five different sections of the tire, taking note of the visibility of Lincoln’s head.
  2. If you can consistently see the top of Lincoln’s head, your treads are excessively worn, and it is time to go shopping for a new set of tires.
  3. If the top of Lincoln’s head (to about the forehead hairline) is covered throughout the tread grooves, the tread is in good shape and your tires probably do not need replacement.

Of course, the purpose of National Tire Safety Week is to get you started down the road of good tire maintenance habits, which need to be performed more than once a year. Tire pressure checks should be done about once a month and the tire tread Penny Test every few months, depending on the age and condition of your tires. If you are not sure about the condition of your tread even after taking the test, stop by and see the experts at your neighborhood Raben Tire location for a free inspection.