It’s autumn and that means two things: falling leaves and falling rain. When the two are combined, driving becomes riskier and, it’s time to double-check those tires. Whether you are driving to the market or out of town for the holidays, your safety and the safety of your passengers deserve a few minutes to ensure the tires are in good driving condition.

    

When roads are wet, and there isn’t enough tread for the tires to grip the road, hydroplaning can occur, which can cause accidents. New tires have a tread that measures 10/32 of an inch, but when tire grooves reach 2/32 of an inch, they will not pass a state safety inspection.

    

In a study done by the National Highway Traffic Safety, almost 50 percent of the 11,500 they checked had at least one unsafe tire. According to a Consumer Reports study, tires showed signs of decreased traction when they were worn to 4/32 of an inch, and vehicles were more prone to hydroplaning at 40 mph. So even if your tires are legal, that doesn't necessarily make them safe. Treat wear can cause an accident that will make it hard to save money on auto insurance.

 

How Can I Check My Tires? 

    

There are two ways to check for tire wear. One way is to insert a penny with the top of Lincoln’s head pointed toward the inside of the tire grooves. If the top of his head is covered, the tire’s tread is sufficient for safer driving. If the top of his head is visible, it is time for new tires.

    

Another way to check for wear is to look inside the tire grooves for wear bars. Tire manufacturers install molded, horizontal wear bars inside the tire grooves to make it easier for us to tell when it’s time to replace our wheels. When the wear bars are flush with the tread’s surface, the vehicle needs new tires.

   

Check your vehicle’s tires for other signs of wear and tear besides balding, including cracks, cuts, or bulges. Look for signs of wheel misalignment and problems with the suspension. Fix whatever issues you find.

 

When driving, leave extra car lengths between your vehicle and the car in front of you. Err on the side of caution and drive a bit more slowly. Should you need to brake quickly, the extra space you have given yourself and your cautious speed should lower your risk for an accident. Finally, if despite your best efforts to drive safely and prepare for wet, slippery roads, if you do hydroplane, remove your foot from the brake and regain control of the car.