How do you determine if your tires are unsafe?
A Minnesota State Patrol spokesman said winter is an important time to double check the only thing keeping you on the highway. According to state statute 169.723 a tire shall be considered unsafe if it has any part of the ply or cord exposed; any bump, bulge or separation; or a tread design depth of less than 2/32 (1/16) of an inch measured in the tread groove nearest the center of the tire at three locations equally spaced around the circumference of the tire, exclusive of tie bars or for those tires with tread wear indicators; is worn to the level of the tread wear indicators in any two tread grooves at three locations; a marking “not for highway use,” or “for racing purposes only,” or “unsafe for highway use;” or tread or sidewall cracks, cuts or snags deep enough to expose the body cords.
The best advice is to keep a regular eye on your tires. Check the tire pressure often. A tire can be as much as 50 percent under-inflated before it is visibly noticeable. Also, routine maintenance is good insurance: Rotate and balance according to your vehicle owner’s manual. Alignments are important also.
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