5 Signs You Need New Tires

1. Bulges, gouges, or cracks
   When a tire deflates, it bulges at the sides. This is a sign of low tire pressure or a slow air leak.
    
2. Tread wear 
   The old-school penny test is one way to check your treads: Place a penny into the tread, with Lincoln's head pointing down. If you can still see the top of his noggin, the tread is dangerously low. Most modern tires, however, have wear bars: bits of rubber woven into the pattern at a specific depth. You can find the wear bars that go across the groove, and if the tread pattern is worn down to that wear bar, you need to replace the tire.
    
3. Tire pressure 
   Tires deflate at a rate of about one pound per square inch (PSI) per month.
    
4. Temperature 
   Tire pressure drops in extreme cold. The challenge in summer is excessive heat buildup in the tire. If you're heading out on a road trip with an underinflated tire, it will generate more heat and wear out faster.
    
5. Vibration 
   Watch out for vibration or thumping when you're driving. If it feels like it's coming from under the seats, the rear tires may be out of balance. Vibration from the steering wheel could indicate suspension issues.