Tread Wear Guide: How to Check Tire Tread Depth
This article aims to address prevalent concerns regarding tire replacement, which include the following points:
Age: Tires should be replaced after six years, regardless of whether they are still within the mileage warranty or if their tread depth remains acceptable. Further information on tire age can be found in our detailed discussion.
Damage: Tires exhibiting sidewall punctures or cracks cannot be safely repaired; thus, any tire with sidewall damage should be replaced. Additional insights on tire shoulders and sidewalls are available for review.
Tread Depth: This article elaborates on the concept of tread depth, the minimum required for tires, and how to determine when it is necessary to purchase new tires.
1. Tire Penny Test: A Simple Method for Checking Tread Depth
What is the most straightforward method to assess tread depth without using a gauge? Many would agree that the penny test is the simplest approach. To check your tire tread using a penny, insert the coin into the tread groove with Lincoln's head facing upside down and towards you. If you can see the entirety of Lincoln's head, this indicates that your tire tread depth is below 2/32 inch, signaling that it is time for a replacement.
2. Built-in Tread Wear Indicators
Most contemporary tires are equipped with built-in visual markers that indicate when they need to be replaced. These markers, known as tire wear bars, indicators, or markers, are integrated into the tire itself. For instance, Continental tires feature a D-W-S embossing, which signifies that when the 'S' is worn, the tire is no longer safe for snowy conditions; when the 'W' is worn, it is unsafe for wet driving; and when the 'D' is worn, it is no longer safe for dry conditions.
These built-in indicators are evenly distributed across the tire's tread, allowing for easy visibility as the tread approaches the 2/32 inch threshold. When the tread level aligns with the wear bar, it is time to consider replacing the tire. For further information on tread wear indicators, please refer to our article on interpreting tread wear indicator bars.
3. Tire Tread Depth Gauge
Although the coin test and tread bar indicators are effective methods for assessing tire tread depth, the most accurate approach is to utilize a device known as a tire tread depth gauge. While a tire gauge may not be essential unless one has a penchant for gadgets and mathematics, it is certainly a useful tool.
Tire tread depth gauges can be purchased online or at local auto parts retailers, and they are remarkably simple to operate.
To measure the tread depth, insert the probe into the deepest groove of the tire. Next, press the probe's shoulders flat against the tread and read the measurement. It is a straightforward process.
