What this checklist is for
This dedicated tire inspection tool is for a single light vehicle (e.g., light truck, SUV, passenger car) and captures the following: vehicle information, the next action (rotate, replace, inflate), OK/Defect/N/A markings by wheel position, Cold PSI & Door Placard Size, and allows you to download it in CSV or PDF format after completing the on-screen form.
This document is based off the following: NHTSA TireWise, 49 CFR 570.9 for in-use tires on vehicles of 10,000 lb or less, 49 CFR 571.139 S5.4 for wear bars at 1/16 inch on new light-vehicle radials. It also include 49 CFR 571.110 Tire and Loading Information placard. This document also includes 49 CFR 571.138 for TPMS behavior and 49 CFR 570.10 for cracked rims and wheel nuts.
Date, name, year, make, model, VIN, and plate identify the car.
Find the Tire Size & Cold PSI on the Tire and Loading Information label located on the inside of the driver side B-pillar or door edge (as mandated in 571.110 S4.3), or from the owner’s manual if the label was removed. Front and rear numbers might vary.
If applicable, choose the type of spare: none, compact, inflator kit, full size. Note that you checked cold tires: NHTSA considers a cold tire as one that has not been driven for at least three hours.
You pull out the door placard and compare its inflation instructions with what inflation is in all four tires: Left front, Right Front, Left Rear, Right Rear, plus Spare (if equipped). You inflate the tires to what's specified on the placard, not up to the maximum amount stamped into the sidewall. There's no flat tire; there's no hiss, and valve caps is on.
When cold, you recheck after filling a warm tire to the recommended cold tire inflation shown on the placard. However, NHTSA would rather see that than a tire that is grossly underinflated. And you mark your spare inflation N/A if the car doesn't have a spare at all, or just a kit, according to the placard.
What it is not
- It is not a full vehicle inspection, a used-car lot walk, or a shop-lift pre-purchase inspection. Those forms stay in plain text on this site. This sheet stops at tires, wheels, TPMS, and OEM rotation.
- It is not a CMV tire station. Do not copy 4/32 inch steer-axle tread from 49 CFR 393.75 onto a passenger car. The truck inspection checklist (draft) is a different power-unit walk. Name it in plain text if you need that CMV form.
- It is not a state inspection sticker. 49 CFR 570.3 says Part 570 does not itself impose requirements on any person. States may use it in highway-safety inspection programs. Passing this page does not print a sticker.
- It is not a bill of sale, a title, or an odometer disclosure.
How to fill each block
Check for wear bars and tread depth. Remaining tread must be no less than 2/32 inch on each tire (570.9(a)). For new tires, tread must be no less than one-sixth of an inch (2/32 inch) deep on light vehicles. Check wear bars in any two adjacent major grooves at three places around the tire. For radials, there are at least six tread-wear bars one-sixteenth inch high.
The penny test, as described by NHTSA, uses a penny with Lincoln’s head upside-down, toward you, and you replace when you see Lincoln’s top head. Prefer: a gauge. 9 Subpart A. If tread remains higher than 2/32 inch in the lowest tread groove despite any of these irregularities, still flag as cupping, one-shoulder wear, or other irregular wear.
Do you check sidewalls for cuts, cords, and bulges? Do they have any bumps, knots, or bulges that show separation? No chunking, bumps, knots, or bulges that show separation, according to 570.9(c). Cords or belts must not be exposed, even when you probe a cut with a blunt tool (570.9(d)).
According to NHTSA: "Bulges, Cracks, and Cuts are cause for stopping use of the tire." Even with tread, a bulge is an automatic fail. Look on the inside sidewall as much as possible without removing the wheel.
Match the speed, load, DOT age, and DOT match. The DOT Tire Identification Number is on both sidewalls; it is the last four digits for the week and year, such as 0308 for the third week of 2008.
Tires have an age limit. While there’s no federal replacement age from NHTSA, some tire and vehicle makers say replace tires older than six to 10 years, even with good tread. Record age; follow their makers’ advice. Tires on the same axle must match in size designation, construction, and profile, and must not be a major deviation from the manufacturer placard (570.9(b)).
Replace the speed and load with something equal or greater than what is listed on the placard, which may include a speed rating and/or a load index.
Front and rear sizes are staggered and stay on the same axle, except when you rotate them according to the OEM rotation chart, which allows you to swap sizes.
Check the rotation status and the condition of the lug, TPMS, and spare. Except in case of a flat, NHTSA advises against using a full-size spare as the everyday replacement for worn road tires. A full-size spare is considered the emergency-only replacement for worn-out road tires. Because this doesn't create an mph limit, it cites the compact-spare sidewall and the owner's manual, which detail its limitations for distance and speed.
Spare inflation: If your car has TPMS (which has been required on cars, vans, and light trucks since model year 2008), the TPMS lamp shouldn't stay on after you inflate the tire properly. Lamp illumination signals a tire is dangerously underinflated. 2. Lamp illumination lasting more than 60 seconds then staying on, rather than blinking quickly for several seconds, means there is a malfunction. This is item 10(c).
Torque to vehicle spec if wheel just came off. Only follow the OEM scheduled rotation, as some don't want their wheels rotated. The NHTSA suggests a minimum mileage of 5,000 miles and a maximum of 8,000.
Sign here, list the position, what you saw, and the psi or 32nds. Choose inflate to placard, replace, rotate per the OEM, schedule a shop look, or do not drive. Sign when done.
The default is 570 Subpart A and owner guidance from NHTSA for vehicles under 10,000 lb. For vehicles with a GVWR over 10,000lb, you'll want 49 CFR 570.62. That means you need at least 4/32 in the front tread. This sheet is incorrect for anything over 10k lb GVWR.
For CMV trucks and truck tractors, it would be 393.75. For CMV buses, it would be 393.75. Those are separate tires. You don't mix tire floors like that. States may also alter (or even add) their own tread requirements.
This form does not place any duty on an individual owner. 570.3 is a criterion for states to set rules, not that this form is a criterion for inspections. The shop that prints the sticker uses the state's manual instead of this PDF.
N/A marks: Features like TPMS, inflator kits, compact spares, staggered sizes, or run-flat tires change which marks are accurate. Check the owner's manual for rotation patterns, torque, compact-spare limits, and whether rotation is permitted.
This sheet does not show a 571.138 Pass/Fail number for resetting OEM electric TPMS. If you'd like a copy to leave this tab as a PDF or CSV, you'll need to download it. Next person who visits will see a blank form.
Inflate, replace, or rotate before you rely on the vehicle if those rows is Defect. This page does NOT carry a state certificate nor NHTSA filing; the serviceable-condition box is the inspector's declaration. Form appears at top of article; preview image and printable PDF appear below the form.
This is not a replacement for a licensed state inspection or the specific procedure from the vehicle manufacturer. It is not legal advice or a source of legal advice; it is a recordkeeping template.
Don’t invent your own Pass/Fail limits if the number you see is not in one of the 49 CFR sections cited here or the NHTSA tire pages; that includes tire age, rotation, torque or tread.
This dedicated tire inspection tool is for a single light vehicle (e.g., light truck, SUV, passenger car) and captures the following: vehicle information, the next action (rotate, replace, inflate), OK/Defect/N/A markings by wheel position, Cold PSI & Door Placard Size, and allows you to download it in CSV or PDF format after completing the on-screen form.
This document is based off the following: NHTSA TireWise, 49 CFR 570.9 for in-use tires on vehicles of 10,000 lb or less, 49 CFR 571.139 S5.4 for wear bars at 1/16 inch on new light-vehicle radials. It also include 49 CFR 571.110 Tire and Loading Information placard. This document also includes 49 CFR 571.138 for TPMS behavior and 49 CFR 570.10 for cracked rims and wheel nuts.
Date, name, year, make, model, VIN, and plate identify the car.
Find the Tire Size & Cold PSI on the Tire and Loading Information label located on the inside of the driver side B-pillar or door edge (as mandated in 571.110 S4.3), or from the owner’s manual if the label was removed. Front and rear numbers might vary.
What varies
If applicable, choose the type of spare: none, compact, inflator kit, full size. Note that you checked cold tires: NHTSA considers a cold tire as one that has not been driven for at least three hours.
You pull out the door placard and compare its inflation instructions with what inflation is in all four tires: Left front, Right Front, Left Rear, Right Rear, plus Spare (if equipped). You inflate the tires to what's specified on the placard, not up to the maximum amount stamped into the sidewall. There's no flat tire; there's no hiss, and valve caps is on.
When cold, you recheck after filling a warm tire to the recommended cold tire inflation shown on the placard. However, NHTSA would rather see that than a tire that is grossly underinflated. And you mark your spare inflation N/A if the car doesn't have a spare at all, or just a kit, according to the placard.
Check for wear bars and tread depth. Remaining tread must be no less than 2/32 inch on each tire (570.9(a)). For new tires, tread must be no less than one-sixth of an inch (2/32 inch) deep on light vehicles. Check wear bars in any two adjacent major grooves at three places around the tire. For radials, there are at least six tread-wear bars one-sixteenth inch high.
The penny test, as described by NHTSA, uses a penny with Lincoln’s head upside-down, toward you, and you replace when you see Lincoln’s top head. Prefer: a gauge. 9 Subpart A. If tread remains higher than 2/32 inch in the lowest tread groove despite any of these irregularities, still flag as cupping, one-shoulder wear, or other irregular wear.
Do you check sidewalls for cuts, cords, and bulges? Do they have any bumps, knots, or bulges that show separation? No chunking, bumps, knots, or bulges that show separation, according to 570.9(c). Cords or belts must not be exposed, even when you probe a cut with a blunt tool (570.9(d)).
According to NHTSA: "Bulges, Cracks, and Cuts are cause for stopping use of the tire." Even with tread, a bulge is an automatic fail. Look on the inside sidewall as much as possible without removing the wheel.
Match the speed, load, DOT age, and DOT match. The DOT Tire Identification Number is on both sidewalls; it is the last four digits for the week and year, such as 0308 for the third week of 2008.
Tires have an age limit. While there’s no federal replacement age from NHTSA, some tire and vehicle makers say replace tires older than six to 10 years, even with good tread. Record age; follow their makers’ advice. Tires on the same axle must match in size designation, construction, and profile, and must not be a major deviation from the manufacturer placard (570.9(b)).
Replace the speed and load with something equal or greater than what is listed on the placard, which may include a speed rating and/or a load index.
After you finish
Front and rear sizes are staggered and stay on the same axle, except when you rotate them according to the OEM rotation chart, which allows you to swap sizes.
Check the rotation status and the condition of the lug, TPMS, and spare. Except in case of a flat, NHTSA advises against using a full-size spare as the everyday replacement for worn road tires. A full-size spare is considered the emergency-only replacement for worn-out road tires. Because this doesn't create an mph limit, it cites the compact-spare sidewall and the owner's manual, which detail its limitations for distance and speed.
Spare inflation: If your car has TPMS (which has been required on cars, vans, and light trucks since model year 2008), the TPMS lamp shouldn't stay on after you inflate the tire properly. Lamp illumination signals a tire is dangerously underinflated. 2. Lamp illumination lasting more than 60 seconds then staying on, rather than blinking quickly for several seconds, means there is a malfunction. This is item 10(c).
Torque to vehicle spec if wheel just came off. Only follow the OEM scheduled rotation, as some don't want their wheels rotated. The NHTSA suggests a minimum mileage of 5,000 miles and a maximum of 8,000.
Sign here, list the position, what you saw, and the psi or 32nds. Choose inflate to placard, replace, rotate per the OEM, schedule a shop look, or do not drive. Sign when done.
The default is 570 Subpart A and owner guidance from NHTSA for vehicles under 10,000 lb. For vehicles with a GVWR over 10,000lb, you'll want 49 CFR 570.62. That means you need at least 4/32 in the front tread. This sheet is incorrect for anything over 10k lb GVWR.
For CMV trucks and truck tractors, it would be 393.75. For CMV buses, it would be 393.75. Those are separate tires. You don't mix tire floors like that. States may also alter (or even add) their own tread requirements.
This form does not place any duty on an individual owner. 570.3 is a criterion for states to set rules, not that this form is a criterion for inspections. The shop that prints the sticker uses the state's manual instead of this PDF.
N/A marks: Features like TPMS, inflator kits, compact spares, staggered sizes, or run-flat tires change which marks are accurate. Check the owner's manual for rotation patterns, torque, compact-spare limits, and whether rotation is permitted.
This sheet does not show a 571.138 Pass/Fail number for resetting OEM electric TPMS. If you'd like a copy to leave this tab as a PDF or CSV, you'll need to download it. Next person who visits will see a blank form.
Not a substitute for the OEM or a licensed inspection
Inflate, replace, or rotate before you rely on the vehicle if those rows is Defect. This page does NOT carry a state certificate nor NHTSA filing; the serviceable-condition box is the inspector's declaration. Form appears at top of article; preview image and printable PDF appear below the form.
This is not a replacement for a licensed state inspection or the specific procedure from the vehicle manufacturer. It is not legal advice or a source of legal advice; it is a recordkeeping template.
Don’t invent your own Pass/Fail limits if the number you see is not in one of the 49 CFR sections cited here or the NHTSA tire pages; that includes tire age, rotation, torque or tread.