Tire Safety Practices and Free Tire Inspections

Keeping your tires in good shape is essential for safety. Before you hit the road, make sure they’re properly maintained and in good working condition. Four key factors drive tire health: tread depth, tire age, tire inflation and load, plus routine maintenance.

Need your tires checked today? Tire inspections at Discount Tire are free.

What’s included in a free tire inspection

During a complimentary tire inspection, we look at the essentials that affect safety and longevity: - Tread depth and wear patterns - Tire age (via DOT date code) - Air pressure and inflation to your vehicle’s recommended spec - Visible damage or issues that could affect load-carrying ability

Walk-ins are welcome, or you can book ahead. Inspections are available at your local Discount Tire.

Make an appointment

Know your numbers

Your tires connect your vehicle to the road, so their condition directly impacts handling, traction and stopping distance.

Tread depth safety

As tread wears down, wet and slick-road performance drops and stopping distances increase. For safety, plan to replace tires at 4/32" of remaining tread. Learn more about how tread depth affects stopping distance and see how to measure tread depth.

Tire aging safety

Rubber breaks down over time. Older tires have reduced crack resistance and a higher risk of failure—regardless of mileage. - Most manufacturers recommend replacement between 6–10 years. - At Discount Tire, we recommend replacing any tire 6 years past its date of manufacture and we do not service tires 10 years or older. Learn more about tire aging.

Tire inflation safety and load capacity

Under-inflated tires generate excess heat, can’t support proper load, and are more likely to fail. Check pressure often and set it to the specification on your vehicle placard or owner’s manual. All 2008+ vehicles have TPMS, which alerts when pressure drops 25% or more below the recommended setting. Explore the basics of proper tire pressure and the risks of loading and overloading.

Routine tire maintenance checklist

Ready when you are

Always consult your vehicle owner’s manual and your tire manufacturer’s literature for specific recommendations. Our guidance is intended to supplement, not replace, those recommendations.