Tire Check: Do I Need New Tires?
Last updated
Enter what you can see on each tire: the date code, a tread reading and any damage. You'll get a red, yellow or green result for each tire, with the reason and the source behind it. The check runs in your browser. Your entries aren't sent to us, there's no sign-up, and the page sets no cookies.
Educational only, not a safety inspection. A tire can look fine and still be damaged inside. Have a tire professional inspect your tires, especially after hitting a pothole or curb, if you see any damage, or if anything here comes back yellow or red.
Next steps if you're shopping
- Current tire rebates: this month's brand offers, with claim deadlines and official terms.
- Tire rebate deadlines: when each claim has to be filed.
- Buying tires online and shipping to an installer: how it works and how rebates apply.
We don't sell tires and these links don't earn us anything.
Check for recalls
This tool doesn't look up recalls. Two free official lookups:
- NHTSA recall lookup: covers vehicles, car seats, tires and equipment, and lets you search for tire recalls.
- USTMA tire recall lookup: search by the tire identification number (TIN). It covers recalls since 2000 for tires made by USTMA member companies only; for other makers, use NHTSA.
Where to find each number
- Date code: the tire identification number on the sidewall starts with "DOT". Its last four digits are the week and year the tire was made, so 2419 means the 24th week of 2019. The full number may be on only one side, so check both (NHTSA; 49 CFR 574.5). Tires made before 2000 used three digits (Bridgestone safety manual).
- Tread depth: a tread depth gauge from an auto parts store reads in 32nds of an inch. Measure in a main groove, and in more than one spot if the wear looks uneven.
- Coin tests: put a penny head-down in a main groove. If you can see the top of Lincoln's head, the tread is about 2/32" or less. With a quarter, if you can see the top of Washington's head, there is less than about 4/32" (Consumer Reports; AAA).
- Tire size: printed on the sidewall, such as 225/65R17. Your vehicle's recommended size is on the tire and loading label on the driver's door edge or in the owner's manual (NHTSA).
How the check decides
| Check | Red | Yellow | Green | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age | 10 years or more since it was made, or a 3-digit (pre-2000) code | 5 years or more: professional inspection (Michelin says yearly); some vehicle and tire makers say replace at 6 to 10 years | Under 5 years | Michelin; Bridgestone; NHTSA |
| Tread | 2/32" or less (penny shows the top of Lincoln's head) | 3/32" to 4/32" (quarter shows the top of Washington's head) | More than 4/32" | NHTSA; Consumer Reports; AAA |
| Sidewall bulge or cut | Any | Michelin | ||
| Puncture | Near the shoulder or sidewall, or on a tire at 2/32" | In the main tread: may be repairable if 1/4" (6 mm) or smaller, with a plug and patch | USTMA; USTMA chart | |
| Cracking, uneven wear | Have it inspected | NHTSA; Michelin | ||
| AWD tread difference | More than 2/32" between your highest and lowest reading | Tire Rack |
The 5-, 6- and 10-year figures are manufacturer guidance, not law. The 2/32" figure is the legal minimum in most states, but not every state uses it. Your vehicle's owner's manual may set its own rules for tire age, size and matching, and those come first.
For the background behind each check, read Do I need new tires? If you're choosing between tire types for winter, see all-season vs. all-weather vs. winter tires.
Common questions
Does Tire Check save my information?
No. The check runs in your browser. Your entries are kept only in the page address after the # sign, so the result link can reproduce the check. The page sets no cookies and has no sign-up.
Can Tire Check tell me whether my tires are recalled?
No. It links to NHTSA's recall site, where you can search for tire recalls, and to USTMA's lookup, where you search by the tire identification number for tires made by USTMA member companies since 2000.
Is a green result a guarantee my tires are safe?
No. The tool only checks what you enter. Tires can have internal damage that doesn't show, so have a tire professional inspect them, especially after an impact or if anything looks or feels different.
What if my DOT code has only three digits?
Tires made before 2000 used a three-digit date code. Any such tire is more than 20 years old, well past the 10-year replacement point that Michelin and Bridgestone recommend, so the tool marks it red.