"Check the tread by using the "penny test." Take a penny, and place it upside down with Lincoln facing you in the center of the tread (at the thickest part of the tire).
If you can see the very top of Lincoln's head or the copper above it, replace the tires immediately.
If Lincoln's hair on the top of his head is partially visible, it is time to go shopping for tires.
If you cannot see the hair on the top of his head (if the coin is inserted enough that the tire tread is at least as deep as Lincoln's forehead), your tires do not need replacing yet. " ~ WikiHow
Generally you replace them every 30,000 miles. You can also tell if the tread is worn down. You can check the depth of the tread with a penny.
You put a penny into the tread with Abraham Lincoln's head facing the tire. If the tread covers up Abe at all, then you're good. If not, get new tires!
The treads are generally about a half inch deep. To check for safe tread depth use a penny, if you can't see the top of the head of Abe Lincoln then the tread is fine.
A penny can be used to measure for safe tread depth on your car tires. Hold the penny upside-down in a tread groove. If the top of Lincoln's head is visible above the tread wall, the tires are completely worn out, and need to be replaced, pronto.
You can use a penny for that. Put in between the threads then mark and measure the depth on the penny.
Always check for visable damage to the tire itself. If there is no visible damage, the easiest way to check tire wear is the penny test. Place a penny "head down" into the groove of a tire, If you can see the top of it's head, your tires need replace, legally. However, you should replace your tire when the tread is reduced below 4/32 of a inch. The easiest way to measure this is actually to us the "Quarter test". Do this test the same as the penny test on with a quarter, for a more accurate reading or check your tires "wear bars" which are bars within your tread that are below the tread and are the minimum safe depth for your tire.
Turn a United States penny upside in the tread. If you can see all of President Lincoln's head, your tire is bald.
Some say to change your auto tires every 5000 miles. Other people just check the tread on their tires and when the tread looks worn, they switch their tires.
Most likely tires..check for worn spots or "bumps". After you speed up, tire rotates so fast its not as noticable. Usually front tires will cause this. Rotating may help. Old trick is take a penny and stick in tire tread to make sure tires have enough rubber to be safe, should cover Lincon's head when penny is put head first to measure tire tread depth.
Look for any obvious signs of damage such as bulges or cracks. Next test the tread using a penny. Place a penny head down in the tread. If you can still see part of Lincoln'shead, the tire is worn.
More than narrow tread tires.
On or before your country's legal minimum requirement for tread. If in doubt see out a qualified fitter to check the tread depth for you