Ace Auto Parts offers quality used tires for car owners of all makes and models of vehicles. Before we sell you a tire, we thoroughly inspect the tread, sidewall, and inside to make sure that the tire is sellable. How can we tell if a tire is in excellent condition? We look for the following:
1. Adequate Tread Depth
Tread is what allows tires to grip the road, and if you’re replacing old tires, there’s a good chance it’s because they no longer have enough tread for continued safe use. That’s why we evaluate every used tire we have in stock for adequate tread depth. And when a tire isn’t up to snuff, we won’t sell it.
How do we evaluate tire tread? We use a gauge, which measures the amount of remaining tread down to one thirty-second of an inch. But it’s a good idea to evaluate tread depth for yourself before you purchase new tires, and if you don’t have a gauge, the penny test is a simple way to do it.
Here’s how to perform the test:
● Grab a penny and insert it into a tire’s tread groove.
● Make sure Lincoln’s head is upside down and facing toward you.
● Look closely to see how much of Lincoln’s head is exposed.
● If you can see all of his head, there’s not enough tread for the tires to be safe. If part of Lincoln’s head is covered by the remaining tread, the tires should be good to go.
It’s important to note that new tires typically have a tread that ranges from “10/32” to “12/32”. Once the tire wears to “4/32”, it’s no longer safe to drive. It’s also a money waster because it will bald soon.
2. Age of the Tire
How old is the tire? When was it purchased initially? By looking at both the tread and the writing on the side of the casing, we can pinpoint its manufacturing date. We recommend that you purchase a tire that is less than five years old no matter how much tread it has on it. Older tires are no longer reliable enough to be used on the highway.
3. Tire Patches
In addition to tread depth and the age of the tire, we also look for defects along the inside and outside of the surface. We scour the tire for any patchwork because tires with patches may not maintain full air capacity. Remember, buying used tires is always a risk. We reduce that risk, however, by making sure that the tires are still drivable.
4. Tire Seams
The seams of a tire are located along its sidewalls, and aside from tread, they’re one of the first areas to deteriorate as a tire ages. We look for signs of bulging, bubbling, and anything that might indicate the integrity of the sidewall seaming has been compromised. Apparent seam wear and tear is a solid indication that the tire may be at risk for a blowout or may develop a slow leak.
5. What is the UTQG Rating
All tires fall under the scrutiny of the Uniform Tire Quality Grade (UTQG) standards. Also known as the Treadwear Rating, this standard measures how hard or soft a tire is. The softer the tire, the faster it will wear out. We use this to determine if the tire is sellable. We recommend that you purchase a tire with a grade of more than 200. If you find a used tire in our junkyard with a grade of 450-600, buy it right away. It’s a steal at a used price.
6. Uneven Tread Wear
Although the right amount of tread on the tire is necessary, equally as important is how even the tread is across the surface. If the tread is uneven, the tire will not last. Uneven tread usually develops on a tire as a result of a previous car with a bad alignment. Under this condition, the whole tire has been operating under extreme stress. The most noticeable sign of that stress is the uneven tread.
7. Dehydration, Cracking, and Dry Rot
Over time, tires naturally degrade and begin to lose the protective resin that prevents the rubber from drying out and oxidizing. As that resin deteriorates, the rubber becomes dry and brittle and starts developing cracks that can cause the tire to split apart. This phenomenon is known as dry rot, and it’s incredibly dangerous to drive on tires that may have developed it.
At Ace, we thoroughly inspect each tire that comes through our salvage yard for signs of dehydration and cracking. If we notice anything that might indicate the presence of dry rot — even if it’s only minor — we won’t sell the tire.
Ace Auto Parts Sells Used Tires in St. Paul
At Ace Auto Parts, we sell a wide variety of used auto parts, including batteries, tires, mirrors, fenders, bumpers, motors, transmissions, and much more. No matter what vehicle component you’re looking for, you can find it at our St. Paul salvage yard. Our technicians are ready to help you locate the part you need, or you can search for it before you stop by using our handy parts search tool.
Whether you’re looking for used car parts for a personal or commercial vehicle, don’t hesitate to contact our team to see what we have in stock! Feel free to give us a call today at 651-717-4299 or contact us online, and we’ll be in touch!