And by the time you finish reading this article, you will have learned everything that you need to know about tire tread depth, its effect on driving performance as well as how you can measure it. We will also walk you through the different methods that you can use to measure tire tread depth, to determine whether the remaining tread is safe for driving. In this article, we will take a closer look at tire tread depth. When that time comes, you are advised to replace such a tire right away. And once the tread reaches 2/32 inch, that tire is considered worn out and it cannot guarantee safe driving. With time, the tread will wear down gradually. New tires come with a tread depth of 10/32 inch to 11/32 inch. So, how much tread depth is there on new tires? This article has the answers. If you think your tires may be close to needing replacement, have them checked out by a licensed mechanic.A tire’s tread depth determines traction and braking performance. Even though the law deems fit for safe driving may not prevent you from hydroplaning or losing control in rainy, slushy conditions. Tire performance can diminish significantly before your tread hits 2/32”. While the penny tire test does deliver on what it promises – indicating whether tread has reached the legal limit – it may not be the best indicator of whether your tires are safe for the road. If they are, it’s time to replace the tire. Just look to see if the tread is flush with the indicator bars. They’re there to help you monitor tread depth and make decisions about tire replacement. Every performance, light truck, or medium commercial tire comes equipped with indicator bars (or wear bars) embedded between the tread ribs at 2/32”. TREAD WEAR INDICATOR BARSĪnother indicator of worn out tread already lives in your tires themselves. All gauges should measure in both 32nds of an inch and millimeters. All you have to do is stick the probe into a groove in the tread and press the shoulders of the probe flat against the tread block and read the result. There are many models available, but an inexpensive simple graduated probe gauge will work just fine. You can find tire tread depth gauges at your local auto parts store. OTHER WAYS TO CHECK TIRE TREADĪ simple way to check your tire tread depth is by using a tread depth gauge. If you see uneven tread wear, you should have a technician inspect your vehicle. Even if parts of your tread are deeper than 2/32”, you should still replace the tire when any areas fail the penny test.Ĭonsistent wear around the whole tire is normal, but uneven tread wear could be a sign of improper inflation, wheel misalignment, or a variety of other things. Pay special attention to areas that look the most worn. When performing the penny tire test, remember not only to check each tire, but to check various places around each tire. If it does, your tread is still above 2/32”, If you can see his entire head, it may be time to replace the tire because your tread is no longer deep enough. See if the top of his head disappears between the ribs. Turn the penny so that Lincoln’s head points down into the tread. A “rib” refers to the raised portion of tread that spans the circumference of your tire. Place a penny between the tread ribs on your tire. The idea of the penny test is to check whether you’ve hit the 2/32” threshold. Department of Transportation recommends replacing tires when they reach 2/32”, and many states legally require tires to be replaced at this depth. New tires typically come with 10/32” or 11/32” tread depths, and some truck, SUV and winter tires may have deeper tread depths than other models. In the United States, tire tread depth is measured in 32nds of an inch.
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