The Michelin Man proved to be a celebrity sighting at the Vans store in New York City: Photo: Scotty Reiss
A Vans #StreetTreadContest Helps Get the Conversation Started.
Before getting behind the wheel on my 16th birthday, no one had ever talked about the importance of changing tires or what to look for to know if my tires were safe. There was no distinct memory of how to check my tires in drivers ed, so I didn’t know how to know if tires were worn out and needed to be replaced. Thankfully, my parents knew that our family car needed new tires and I took part in the getting new tires on the car.
Even after learning the difference between new and worn tires, I still didn’t fully understand the importance of regularly checking your tires. Until recently when Michelin invited us to their announcement a new program designed to get teen drivers into the car conversation. Called #StreetTreadContest, it’s part of Michelin’s Beyond the Driving Test campaign to help educate teens about the importance of tire safety. To get the idea across, Michelin partnered with the sneaker company Vans to help teens make the connection between the rubber on their shoes and the tires on their car.
Me and the Michelin Man–both wearing our favorite Vans. Photo: Scotty Reiss
Teaching Teens About Their Tires Through the Similarity to Sneakers
Steve Van Doren, the Vans Ambassador of Fun, gave the example of how a skate boarder will replace their shoes when they no longer get traction when pushing off or braking. The same is true with car tires: when it takes longer to stop or you have less traction, it’s probably time to replace your tires. Taking a look at your tires is the place to start, and the best way to visualize tire tread is to look at the bottom of your favorite pair of sneakers. Those little bumps and ridges help give you traction so you don’t fall on smooth surfaces and and have better footing on the ground. Car tires have the same basic features and do the same job. And, as you wear your sneakers the rubber wears down, just as it wears down on tires from driving. When our sneakers are worn out we know it–we can easily see it. But we have to take more care to check our tires to see if they are worn.
Are new tires a great gift for a teen? We thought so!
Michelin president Scott Clark, the Michelin Man and Vans VP Steve Van Doren show off the custom Michelin sneakers. Photo: Scotty Reiss
Why Do I Need to Check My Tires?
Michelin shared a stunning fact: 300,000 teen drivers have accidents due to tire issues annually. But checking your tires to see if they need to be changed is super easy! Scott Clark, the president of Michelin, explained how to check your tires using a penny. Turn your wheels all the way to the right or left and place the penny, with Abe Lincoln’s head down, in the groove of the tire. If you can see the top of Abe Lincoln’s head, your tread is worn down.
Do you know the truth about worn tires? We found out!
The custom Michelin designed Vans sneakers. Photo: Scotty Reiss
Vans Helps Michelin Make a Difference, One Pair of Shoes at a Time
One of the coolest parts of the event was to see that Vans was excited to partner with Michelin to help educate teens. Steve and Scott introduced a shoe giveaway. “Anything that will help save teens lives is important to us,” Steve told us.
As part of their partnership, Vans has created a special Michelin-print shoe. Teens across the United States can enter the challenge by taking a photo or video of them checking the tires on their car and posting it on Instagram with the hashtag #StreetTreadContest. In August 100 teens across America will be picked to receive a pair of these one-of-a-kind Michelin-themed Vans.
Another Chance to Win Your Own Pair of Custom Vans
To help promote the contest, Michelin also gave us a pair of these custom sneakers. We would love YOU to have an additional chance to win, so we are giving away our pair, too! You can enter to win by clicking the entry box below. Good luck!
Contest Rules:
Participants can enter to win a custom pair of Michelin Vans sneakers by submitting qualifying entries via RaffleCopter before midnight, June 24, 2018. No purchase necessary to enter. A single prize of one pair of shoes will be given away. Prize has an approximate value of $100, is not exchangeable for cash or other items; the assignment of the prize is at the discretion of A Girls Guide to Cars. A single winner will be chosen at random from among valid entries. Contest open only to US residents 18 or older. Winner will be notified by email or direct message by June 27, 2018. If a chosen winner fails to respond to notification within seven (7) days that winner will be disqualified and a new winner will be chosen. Winners must provide a valid US shipping address, not a PO Box, for prize shipment and may be asked to provide other information to verify qualification for this contest. Void where prohibited and subject to applicable law.
But Wait, There’s More!
You can also enter to win a CUSTOM PAIR OF VANS! Between now and June 24th look for A Girls Guide to Cars Facebook Live Stream broadcasts and simply join the conversation. All comments constitute a contest entry. Winner will be chosen at random from among all qualified comments on live stream broadcasts between May 25, 2018 and June 24, 2018. No purchase necessary to win, winner must be 18 years old or older, a resident of the United States, provide a valid US shipping address, not a PO Box, for prize shipment and may be asked to provide other information to verify qualification for this contest. A single prize of one pair of shoes will be given away. Prize has an approximate value of $100, is not exchangeable for cash or other items; the assignment of the prize is at the discretion of A Girls Guide to Cars. A single winner will be chosen at random from among valid entries. Void where prohibited and subject to applicable law.
Cameron Reiss
Ej says
June 5, 2018 at 7:47 pmI take my vehicle in to be professionally checked every 3 months, but I walk around my truck daily to check tires and lights
sara lafountain says
June 9, 2018 at 9:55 amI never check my tire treads but now I realize I need to do this more often.
Carrie Kleckner says
June 10, 2018 at 1:51 pmThose Michelin Man Checkerd Vans are adorable!
Carrie Kleckner says
June 10, 2018 at 1:52 pmMy hubbies truck tells us when we need new tires & that is extremely helpful!
Lauren Conlon says
June 14, 2018 at 12:12 pmWhen I get my car serviced I ask them to check. my car also lets me know is pressure is low.
Angela Montgomery says
June 14, 2018 at 5:51 pmUse a tread depth gauge, or if you don’t happen to have one of those laying around, try the “penny test.” Insert a penny into the tire tread grooves with Lincoln’s head facing down. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, your tires are at 2/32nds of an inch or less of remaining tread
Kayla Norris says
June 15, 2018 at 5:30 pmI need to start checking my tires more. Terrified of blowout while driving.
Angelica Dimeo says
June 15, 2018 at 6:39 pmI don’t have a car but if I did I would have it checked every few months
Margaret Smith says
June 15, 2018 at 8:53 pmEvery time I have my oil changed, I have my tires checked.
Leslie Pleasants says
June 15, 2018 at 8:58 pmI take mine to a tire place place down the street from me. They check air and tire tread for free plus if any holes/leaks in tires they fix for free. Tires are very important since I’m afraid of changing tires.
Susan Gillam says
June 15, 2018 at 9:05 pmI frequently look at my tires to see if they look low or I ask someone who knows more about cars to do it.
Vickie L Couturier says
June 15, 2018 at 10:14 pmmy teen grandson would totally love these,they are so cool
Sand says
June 15, 2018 at 11:57 pmI check every month, at the beginning.
Jessica P says
June 16, 2018 at 12:32 amMy dad is a mechanic, I learned at a very young age to maintain my car in all ways and to always keep an eye on my tires.
Debra Holloway says
June 16, 2018 at 1:19 amI kick the tires and do a walk around inspection of my tires every day.
JANET LINDSEY says
June 16, 2018 at 2:06 amI check my tires every time I get an oil change
Danielle S says
June 16, 2018 at 10:11 amWhenever we go somewhere, the hubby checks the tires. I guess I don’t need to worry about it.
paige chandler says
June 16, 2018 at 10:40 amMy husband tells me. Lucky me
Erin S says
June 16, 2018 at 10:40 amMy husband works in the auto retail industry so he’s always tuned into the condition of our cars
Gina Ferrell says
June 16, 2018 at 11:23 amI do the Quarter test. Insert a quarter into your tread groove. If the tread touches Washington’s head, you have at least 4/32 inch of tread remaining.
Mary Rutter says
June 16, 2018 at 1:12 pmI take it to the Dealer and let them check the tires.
Elena says
June 16, 2018 at 4:53 pmI make sure to check my tires all the time
Eileen Boyce says
June 16, 2018 at 7:40 pmMy husband takes care of our cars.
Wendy R. says
June 17, 2018 at 1:15 amI use the quarter trick to check the tread, kinda nifty! Our local tire place also is good for advice.
Scotty Reiss says
June 17, 2018 at 7:38 amGreat tip Wendy! A quarter works too, similarly to a penny: Insert it into the tread with Washington’s head pointed down and if you can see the top of his head, you need new tread. Thanks for the tip!
Bernie Wallace says
June 17, 2018 at 1:49 pmI always thought the Michelin man looked creepy. He reminds me of the stay puft marshmellow man.
Michelle C says
June 17, 2018 at 3:40 pmI try to remember to take a look at my tires when I’m pumping gas.
elizabeth miller says
June 17, 2018 at 3:52 pmI like that they are encouraging children to learn about this in a way kids can relate to.
Lisa Bourlier says
June 17, 2018 at 4:05 pmMy Hubby keeps a chart in the garage for our cars so we can check off when maintenance has been done.
Sara Perrera says
June 18, 2018 at 5:43 amMy car tells me if my tire pressure is low otherwise I don’t really give much thought to it. This post was really informative.
kathy Persons says
June 18, 2018 at 6:48 amMy husband keeps track of it but have talked to my kids about regularly checking theirs
Diana Penn says
June 18, 2018 at 7:20 amtread depth gauge
April says
June 18, 2018 at 9:11 amI need to be more educated with my tires!
Sue E says
June 18, 2018 at 2:16 pmMy husband does the coin test. He also has the tires checked every time he has an oil change.
Onyinye Elochukwu says
June 18, 2018 at 3:50 pmMy husband does all that for us.
Dana Murphy says
June 19, 2018 at 9:27 amMy dad taught me to walk around the car before getting in, especially if there was a large temperature change. Also how to check the pressure and air them up. And of course to change one.
Marianna says
June 19, 2018 at 9:51 pmI get my tread checked when I change my oil
Edye says
June 20, 2018 at 9:13 amBeing knowledgeable about cars is a great thing.
SHARON JAMES says
June 20, 2018 at 9:24 amYes I would love for my teens to change a tire.
Fredrick Pauly says
June 20, 2018 at 10:33 amI take mine into Jiffy Lube and they check them when I’m getting my oil changed.
Sarah Mathias says
June 21, 2018 at 3:13 pmI check my tires whenever I get my oil changed.
Christina Gould says
June 22, 2018 at 8:00 amGetting teens to talk about anything is quite a feat, lol. Thanks for posting!
Jae Park says
June 22, 2018 at 12:10 pmI check my tread when I’m bored waiting for my car to fill up at the gas pump. Not every time, but at least once a month.
kathy pease says
June 22, 2018 at 2:41 pmI never check our my husband does that. I think he knows just by looking.
Amy D says
June 22, 2018 at 3:58 pmIncredible statistic that 300,000 teen drivers have accidents due to tire issues annually. I’ve driven on bad tires without knowing. This article is a great reminder that I need to check my tires. Michaelen tires are the best!
Kim says
June 22, 2018 at 6:43 pmI’ve never owned a pair of vans, but my daughter has some. These are pretty cool!
Kristin Shaw says
June 22, 2018 at 7:18 pmI use the penny test. And I love those Vans! I was just shopping for some.
Hesper Fry says
June 22, 2018 at 7:35 pmI never knew 300,000 teen drivers have accidents due to tire issues every year.
dawn reid says
June 22, 2018 at 7:36 pmMu husband does it for me.
Leela says
June 22, 2018 at 8:41 pmI love those shoes!
Beverly Metcalf says
June 22, 2018 at 8:53 pmThe garage checks mine when I have it inspected every year. Thanks.
Julie Hawkins says
June 22, 2018 at 9:45 pmI inspect the tires every time I wash the car.
Trisha McKee says
June 22, 2018 at 11:28 pmMy husband takes care of it. he reminds me and he checks it.
AEKZ2 says
June 22, 2018 at 11:54 pmI don’t remember to check the tires. I just trust that my husband does it.
Joy Venters says
June 23, 2018 at 2:17 pmMy BF takes care of all the routine maintenance including checking the tires
Leah Shumack says
June 23, 2018 at 2:32 pmWe do the coin test a couple times a year. With all the winter driving we do it’s so important that we have to keep up on it!
Buddy Garrett says
June 23, 2018 at 3:08 pmSince my wife does a lot of driving on her job I check the tires at least weekly.
Stephanie says
June 23, 2018 at 4:14 pmWe always check them when we change the oil or are getting ready to go out of town.
Donna porter says
June 23, 2018 at 4:28 pmMy hubby checks the tires on our vehicles on a regular basis. I also check while pumping gas.
Amanda Whitley says
June 23, 2018 at 4:52 pmmy husband is a mechanic so i am lucky enough that he does it for a living and he takes the car in every other month or so to look it over.
Trisha Musgrave says
June 23, 2018 at 6:25 pmI remember to check my tires every time I get my tires changed. My dad drilled that into me since I was little!
Peggy Rydzewski says
June 23, 2018 at 7:27 pmI check the thread when I get the oil changed which is every 3000 miles.
Hesper Fry says
June 23, 2018 at 7:36 pmMy husband checks our tires at home and when he gets his tires rotated.
Laurie Emerson says
June 23, 2018 at 9:00 pmI have it on computer as a event to remember.
Amy Deeter says
June 23, 2018 at 9:27 pmi have always done the penny test on this !
Denise B. says
June 23, 2018 at 10:41 pmWe check the tires every time we check the tire pressure.
Donna Kozar says
June 23, 2018 at 10:47 pmThis is a good reminder because I forget.
Jerry Marquardt says
June 23, 2018 at 10:48 pmI check them with a penny, if I see Lincoln’s head, I know I am ready for new tires.
Meme says
June 23, 2018 at 11:47 pmI use a tire guage but didn’t know about the penny will start doing that too. I also have a new teen driver who I will also introduce this too.