Tyre checks: pressure, tread and rotation, and how to log them
Loggy can hold a dated record of every tyre check, rotation and replacement. The checks themselves are simple: the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says to check pressure about once a month with the tyres cold, and to replace tyres when the tread reaches 2/32 of an inch.
Pressure: monthly, cold, from the vehicle label
- Check all tyres, including the spare, about once a month (NHTSA).
- Check them cold. NHTSA says that means the vehicle has not been driven for at least three hours.
- Use the pressure your vehicle maker lists, on the Tire and Loading Information label (the driver's door edge or B-pillar) or in the owner's manual, not the figure moulded on the tyre itself.
Tread depth and age
NHTSA says to replace a tyre when the tread has worn to 2/32 of an inch (about 1.6 mm), and to check tread monthly along with pressure. Its penny test: put a penny in the groove with Lincoln's head upside down. If you can see the top of his head, the tread is too low.
Age cannot be judged by eye. NHTSA notes that some makers recommend replacing tyres at six to ten years regardless of tread. The last four digits of the DOT number give the week and year of manufacture, so "0308" is the third week of 2008.
Rotation intervals from maker manuals
NHTSA says that if the maker recommends rotation, it is typically every 5,000 to 8,000 miles, and some vehicles should not be rotated. Two examples from maker guides on this site:
| Vehicle | Tyre rotation | Page |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota Corolla (2023, US) | Every 5,000 miles or 6 months. | /maintenance/toyota-corolla |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (2024) | Every 7,500 miles, with an oil life check. | /maintenance/chevrolet-silverado-1500 |
Check your own manual for the interval and the pattern.
Log tyre work
Record the date, the odometer, the pressures you set, the tread if you measured it, and the receipt for any rotation or replacement. In Loggy, add a log entry for each job and set a service reminder for the next rotation. Reminders are by date, so pick the date from how much you drive.
Sources
NHTSA, tire safety, checked 10 November 2026. Rotation intervals come from the maker sources on the linked schedule pages. The NHTSA figures are US guidance in US units.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I check my tyre pressure?
NHTSA says about once a month, with the tyres cold, and the spare too.
Which pressure do I use, the one on the tyre or the one in the manual?
The one the vehicle maker lists, on the driver's door label or in the owner's manual. NHTSA says the correct pressure is what the vehicle maker lists, not what is on the tyre.
How low can tread go?
NHTSA says to replace tyres at 2/32 of an inch. Rules differ by country, so check your local requirement as well.
How often should tyres be rotated?
Follow your manual. The 2023 US Corolla guide says every 5,000 miles or 6 months, and the 2024 Silverado says every 7,500 miles.
Step-by-step help
Related pages
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- When to replace air and oil filters
- All maintenance schedules
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- A free car maintenance app with unlimited vehicles and no ads
- Equipment service intervals: how to find yours and log them
- How often to change engine oil: find your interval and log it
- When to replace air and oil filters: what maker manuals say
