There are a few ways to check the tire tread on your vehicle. One of the tried and true methods is the penny method. Stick the penny upside down into the tire tread, with Lincoln facing you. If you can see all of Lincoln’s face, then your tread is low. The most accurate way to determine if you need new tires is to bring your vehicle to a Mavis, Tire Kingdom or NTB and have the tread evaluated, or ask about the status of your tread at your next oil change. 

You’ve just realized you have a flat tire, and you’re not sure what to do. First, understand your surroundings. If you’re on a busy highway where changing a tire is unsafe it is best to call roadside assistance. If you are able, locate the spare tire in your vehicle, remove the flat tire, and replace it with the spare tire. Once you’ve done this, you’ll want to take the vehicle to the nearest Mavis, Tire Kingdom or NTB to be fixed or replaced. 

Once you’ve realized you have a flat tire, it is best to pull over and stop driving on the damaged tire as soon as possible. If you have a spare tire, you can change the flat tire and take your vehicle to the nearest Mavis, Tire Kingdom or NTB location to be assessed. 

Even when driving on a spare tire, it is recommended that you drive directly to a repair shop to have the flat tire repaired. Many spare tires are designed for short trips with a decreased speed. It is best to go below 50 miles per hour and drive less than 70 miles on a spare tire, if possible. 

When replacing a single tire, it is important to understand the condition of the other tires, as well. Based on manufacturer’s recommendations, you may need to replace more than one tire at a time. If the age of your remaining three tires is fairly new and they are in good condition, you may be able to just replace one tire. However, having a new tire and three older ones can affect vehicle systems that can lead to damage.