FINDLAY, Ohio — Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. is using its Tread Wisely tire and vehicle safety campaign to remind consumers that a penny can be important for tire safety, as the 210th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth approaches.
Cooper reminds consumers that to check tread depth using the penny test, insert the edge of a penny into the most worn groove of the tire tread. Mr. Lincoln's head should be down and facing you.
If the top of Mr. Lincoln's head is covered by tread, meaning the top of his head cannot be seen, the tire tread is in good shape. If the top of his head is visible, the tire should be replaced.
Cooper Tire's Tread Wisely program uses a penny to teach young drivers how to help ensure they're driving on safe tires.
"Nearly everyone has a penny. This is an easily accessible item that can be used to check tire tread depth," Bill Geaman Jr., manager, consumer quality systems, said.
"Cooper recommends that drivers check their tire tread once a month and before long road trips, and knowing how to do so with the penny test makes this a quick and easy task that can be done in minutes — keeping everyone safer on the road."
Cooper's Tread Wisely program encourages drivers to check tire pressure and overall tire condition regularly.
"It's the combination of these three important tire safety checks that ensure tires are in good condition and ready to perform as you expect them to. If you take care of your tires, they will take care of you," Geaman added.
To see videos featuring race driver and Cooper safety spokesman Arie Luyendyk, Jr., as well as videos on other driving safety topics, go to treadwisely.org.