22k miles and still rolling on the stock tires. So far, absolutely no complaints from them (18'' SportMaxx). I know I'm getting up there in miles and lately (could be all in my head), I almost feel like I'm hearing a bit more road noise from them. The problem is that I'm just not experienced enough to "read tread," as it were. They certainly aren't bald, but the tread pattern isn't all that deep. So, my question: what's the best type of place to go to find out? Dealer, local tire shop, major tire chain? Any good recommendations? I'm not going to be cheap about it but at the same time, I don't want some place lying to me and saying that I need to replace them now if I really have 5k miles left. At the same time, I don't want to run on them any longer than is safe to do so. Thanks!

 

do the penny test!

 

i've read this somewhere; works for me...

take a penny and stick the edge of the penny up into the center tread (or one of the middle treads of the tire) so that abraham lincoln is head in first. if abraham lincoln's head is obstructed by the treads, you're good to go. if abraham lincoln's head is not obstructed by the treads, time for new tires.

edit: dammit, ULTiMaX99 beat me to it.

 

besides the penny test, your tires will have wear indicators. If you look between in the bigger grooves, you'll see little rubber bars between them. If the bars are the same height as the rest of the tread, then it's about time to change the tires.

Most manufacturers recommend changing the tires when they have 2-3mm of tread depth left.

 

Can't be as bad as mine


That was about 200 miles ago. Now it has about 8 lines of those. Does anyone know what that is? Tire wear indication? I know it's dangerous thats why I switch off with the ML. I must drive the IS at least once a week.

 

That's the inside of the tire! If you keep going, you're gonna start seeing metal. Get those changed out ASAP and get an alignment!

 

That is a safety issue.

Get the tires changed as soon as possible, as well as an alignment (because of the uneven treadwear).

 

I agree....you got a few hundred more miles before you have a blowout.

 

Are you dropped, Hart? Looks like you have about 4-5mm on the outside and nothing on the inside.

 

A great example of why you should keep an eye every once in a while on how your tires are wearing.

 

Thanks for the info guys. I snapped a few pictures with my camera phone at lunch and it looks like I failed the "penny test." The first is the outer tread and the second is from the middle of the tire.

 

Middle of the tread...

 

where you placed the penny, if you look in the groove, you will see some wear bars... if the rest of the tread is even with the wear bars... its time for new tires.

 

Ut oh...time for new tires based on those pics! Tires are sooooo important. I personally would never let them go so low. I noticed that the inner tire wear is more than the outer, alignement is in order as well.

 

Thought so. I might go after work today. If I go to a place like Discount Tire (one near my office), can they change them out including TPMS and align them? Does anyone have a recommendation/stay away vote for Discount Tires?