Back to all

Tuffy Fort Myers (Daniels Pkwy) Tire Safety: Washington vs. Lincoln

April 28, 2024

 

Welcome to the Tuffy Fort Myers (Daniels Pkwy) automotive blog. Today, let's talk about the effect of tire wear.

Let's focus on stopping in wet Fort Myers conditions. In order for a tire to have good contact with the road, it has to move the water out of the way. If it can't move the water, the tire will actually ride on top of a thin film of water.

That's called hydroplaning. If it's really bad, Fort Myers drivers can actually spin out of control - endangering themselves and the other drivers around them. At best, you won't stop as fast.

So how does a tire move water? It has channels for water to flow through. Look at your vehicle tire and you'll see channels: channels that run around the tire and channels that flow across the tire. They're designed to direct water away from the tire so it can contact the road better.

And the deeper the channel, the more water it can move. A brand new Tuffy Fort Myers (Daniels Pkwy) tire has very deep channels and can easily move a lot of water. As the tire wears down, the channels become shallower and can move less water. When it wears down enough, it can seriously affect your ability to stop your vehicle on wet Fort Myers roads.

So that's why it's so important for Fort Myers drivers to replace their vehicle tires when they get worn. Consumer Reports and other advocate groups call for a standard of 3/32 of an inch and they have the studies to prove it.

At Tuffy Fort Myers (Daniels Pkwy), we want our customers to know that the deeper recommended tread depth makes a big difference. Stopping distances are cut dramatically on wet Fort Myers streets. A safe stop from Florida speeds with 4/32 of an inch of tread would result in a crash with worn out tires.

There's an easy way to tell when a tire's worn to 4/32 of an inch.

Just insert a quarter into the tread. Put it in upside down. If the tread doesn't cover George Washington's hairline, it's time to replace your vehicle tires. With a Canadian quarter, the tread should cover the numbers in the year stamp.

Many Fort Myers residents have heard of this technique using a penny and Abe Lincoln's head - the old method. That measure gives you 2/32 of an inch – half the suggested amount. Of course, vehicle tires are a major purchase. Most of us in Fort Myers want to get as many miles out of them as we can. But there's a real safety trade-off. It's your choice.

Tuffy Fort Myers (Daniels Pkwy)
9230 Daniels Pkwy
Fort Myers, Florida 33912
239-887-4431
https://www.tuffydanielspkwy.com

More articles from Tuffy Fort Myers (Daniels Pkwy)

Do I Need Brake Service? (Brake Service)

March 22, 2026

Think of how many times you put your foot on your vehicles brake pedal every day. And think of how much you rely on your brakes to slow down and stop your momentum. When it comes to safety systems, your brakes are at the top of the list, and thats why its so important to keep them in top condit... More

Picking the Right Tires in Fort Myers

March 15, 2026

Shopping for tires in Fort Myers can be bewildering because there are many choices. Let's simplify. There are four main classifications of tires, each designed for different purposes.First off, there are summer tires. Those who buy summer tires in Fort Myers are looking for maximum summertime pe... More

More than Pads and Rotors (Brake Caliper Replacement)

March 8, 2026

You might be familiar with brake pads and rotors, two components of your vehicle's brakes that have to be regularly serviced. Here's another important component of your brakes: the calipers. Calipers are used in disc brakes, the type of brakes now found in most recently manufactured vehicles. A... More