Is It Time for New Tires?

When was the last time you checked your tire tread depth? With Oktober Tire Fest in full swing and some of our biggest tire sales of the year happening right now, there’s never been a better time to make sure your tires are safe for the upcoming seasons.

Why Tread Depth Matters

Tires are your vehicle’s only point of contact with the ground. The deeper the tread, the better your grip, braking, and your overall safety. Once your tread wears down too far, you risk reduced traction, longer stopping distances, and a higher chance of hydroplaning.

For all-terrain and off-road tires, tread depth is especially important. These tires are designed to take on rocks, dirt, sand, and mud, but they rely on that aggressive tread pattern to their job. As they wear down, your off-road performance will reflect it. Tread depth is harder to tell with the thick tread, so it is important to check these frequently if you are off-roading.

How to Check Your Tire Depth

You don’t need a mechanic’s toolbox to figure out if your tires are worn out. A simple tread depth gauge or even a penny can do the trick! Here's how:

-The Penny Test: Insert a penny into your tire’s tread groove with Lincoln’s head upside down. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, your tread is below 2/32” and it is time to replace!

-The Quarter Test: Using a quarter can give you a better read on when you’re below 4/32, which is when wet and off-road traction starts to suffer.

-Tread Depth Guage: For the most accurate reading, use a small tread depth tool. These are easy to find at online retailers like Amazon or at your local auto parts store. New all-terrain and off-road tires often start with tread depths around 12/32”-16/32”. Once you’re under 6/32”, you’ll really notice reduced performance off-road and in heavy rain or snow which we all know is right around the corner with Fall/Winter.

Extend the Life of Your Tires

While all tires eventually wear out, you can maximize your investment with proper care.

-Tire Rotations: Rotating your tires regularly helps them wear evenly, extending their lifespan and maintaining consistent traction.

-Alignments: If your vehicle is out of alignment, your tires can wear unevenly and prematurely. A quick alignment check can save you from replacing tires before their time.

At OK4WD, we not only sell tires, but we also offer tire rotations and alignments to keep your tires performing their best for as long as possible.

How to Choose the Right Tires for your Vehicle

Tires aren’t a one-size-fits-all. Whether you’re replacing worn-out rubber or thinking about upgrading for better off-road performance, it’s important to understand how to pick the right set for your vehicle.

1. Check Your Current Tire Size

Your tire size is printed right on the sidewall of your tires. You’ll see a series of numbers and letters such as 285/70R17. Let's break down what that means.

-285 = Tire width in millimeters

-70 = Aspect ratio (the height of the sidewall as a percentage of the width)

-R17 = The diameter of the wheel in inches (in this case, 17” wheels)

You can also check your vehicle's owner’s manual or the driver’s side door jamb sticker for the manufacturer’s recommended tire size. Knowing this makes it easy to order tires on our website so that you can search for the available tires in your exact size. Once you know your size, you can use our tool on the left-hand side of our web page to plug in your tire specs so that you get the exact ones that you need!

2. Decide How You Use Your Vehicle

Once you determine your tires size, you need to determine what type of tire you need based off of your driving habits.

-All Terrain Tires (A/T): A balance of on-road comfort and off-road capability- great for daily drivers who also like to adventure. This is what I currently have on my Tacoma because I like to occasionally go off-road but it is also my daily driver!

-Mud Terrain Tires (M/T): Aggressive tread patterns designed for off-road traction in mud, rocks, and sand- but just remember these are really loud on pavement.

-Highway/All Season Tires: Smooth and quiet on-road, but limited traction off-road.

3. Thinking About a Bigger Tire Size?

Upgrading to a larger tire size is a common move for off roaders. This helps boost ground clearance, improves traction, and gives your rig a tougher look for sure! But it’s not as simple as slapping on a bigger set. Keep in mind the following:

-Clearance: Bigger tires may rub against your fenders, suspension parts, or bumpers without proper modifications.

-Lift Kits/Leveling Kits: Often needed to fit larger tires without rubbing.

-Gearing and Performance: Larger tires can affect speedometer accuracy, fuel economy, and overall performance. Sometimes a gear ratio change can help.

-Legal and Safety Considerations: Some states have regulations on tire size and coverage so make sure to do your research in your state before upgrading or you can suffer the consequences of some nasty tickets.

The good news? OK4WD specializes in fitting, lifting, and aligning vehicles for bigger tires. If you’re looking to go up a size, we’ll make sure your vehicle is properly set up for safety, performance and adventure.

At the end of the day, your tires are the foundation of every drive and every trail. Keeping an eye on tread depth, staying on top of rotations and alignments, and knowing when it's time to replace will keep you safer and extend the life of your investment. If your tread is looking worn or if you're ready to size up for more capability, OK4WD Oktober Tire Fest is the perfect time to make the switch! Reach out to a member of our sales team today to discuss savings.