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5 Signs You Need New Tires

Our mechanics check your tires every time you bring your vehicle to Little Wolf Automotive in Antigo, WI. Still, checking your tires from time to time is a good idea because lots can happen to them between service appointments. 

If you check your tires every couple of weeks, you can catch some problems before they leave you stranded. Here are a few signs you need new tires.

1. The Tread is Less than 2/32-Inch.

You don’t have to guess if the tread is too low. Looking closely at the tread, you’ll see bars in the tread grooves. If the top of the tread is even with the bars, you need new tires. 

5 Signs You Need New Tires | Little Wolf Automotive in Antigo, WI. Closeup image of a mechanic’s hand inspecting tread of a worn tire using a penny.

You can also use the penny trick. Hold the penny with Lincoln’s head facing you and down. Stick the penny in the tread. If you can see all of Lincoln’s head, it’s time for tire replacement. That means the tread is less than 2/32-inch. 

If it is approaching winter, we recommend replacing tires before the tread gets this low. The less tread your tires have, the less traction you will have in the snow and slush.

2. You See Metal Strands Through the Tread.

You need new tires if metal strands show through the sidewall or tread. The tires are so worn or the sidewall was rubbed so much that the metal cords supporting the tire support are showing. If you continue to drive in such a case, you have a significant tire blowout risk. 

Little Wolf Automotive in Antigo, WI has many tires in stock. If we don’t have your size, we can get it before your appointment.

3. The Tire is Separated.

You can tell if a tire is separated. If you feel a shake in the steering wheel at speeds less than 10 to 15 mph, you most likely have a separated tire. You can also look for a bubble on the sidewall. 

Separated tires cannot be repaired. You must buy a tire replacement if it is separated. If you are unsure, bring your vehicle to our shop at Antigo, WI. We’ll check the separated tire for you. 

4. The Tires Are Unevenly Worn.

If the vehicle’s tires are unevenly worn, you can sometimes rotate them once you repair the problem—either by aligning or replacing certain suspension parts. But if the wear has eaten away too much tread, you’ll have to get new tires.

5. The Tires Are Dry Rotted

Look closely at the sidewalls of the tires. If the sidewalls (and sometimes the tread) are full of cracks, your tires are dry rotted. You will eventually experience a blowout if you continue using them and do not get new tires.

Contact Little Wolf Automotive if You Need New Tires in Antigo, WI

If you need new tires, an alignment, or someone to check your tires, set an appointment with Little Wolf Automotive in Antigo, WI. It helps if you have the correct tire size before your set appointment. The size is located on the tire’s sidewall and in a specific format. For example, 215/65R17.

Call us at (715) 350-4287 or fill out this form. We are conveniently located at 1436 Neva Road, Antigo, WI 54409.