\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Go behind the speeds. Tire Tread: A Complete Guide | CarShtuff So put that change in your pocket to good use to help keep you safe. With this gauge, youre simply seeing how far the measurement pin was pushed down. If youre ready to choose your next set of tires, check out our Tire Finder. How to Check Tire Tread with a Penny: 11 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow If the tread touches Washington's head, you have at least 4/32 of an inch of tread remaining. Youre using an outdated browser. Expert Interview. Checking tire tread measurements doesnt absolutely require placing something in the tread groove to check tire tread depth. These wear bars are 2/32 in height which equals the legal minimum depth in most states. How to Check Tire Tread (With Video) | Family Handyman Learn how to measure your car's tire tread depth with the tire tread penny test. Checking a tires tread depth is so easy that you could literally do it every single time you get into your car without really altering your life or disturbing any of your plans. Once your treads wear this much, you should replace your tires as soon as possible. Step 3: Look for obvious bulges or bumps on your tire. 2023 This rule operates under the impression that 2/32 of an inch is the limit of an operational tire. Copyright 2023 Pirelli & C. S.p.A. - Pirelli Tyre S.p.A, The relationship between tire tread and stopping distance, How to best maintain tires to optimize tread depth, COOKIE POLICY (Do not sell my personal information). Tire failure can result from operating on such a tire. C. deflate tire pressure when tires are hot When you need to go somewhere in your car, usually you grab your car keys and your drivers license, hop in the drivers seat, and go. A few key numbers to keep in mind when checking tread depth are: Tread depth and stopping distance have an inverse relationship: the shallower the tread, the longer it will take for a vehicle to stop. Log in to MyTravelers, http://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa/Safety1nNum3ers/june2013/SafteyInNumbersJune2013.html, http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811617.pdf, http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2012/12/how-safe-are-worn-tires/index.htm, Older Car Maintenance in 5 Steps [Infographic], What to Do if Your Car Breaks Down [Video], 3-Second Rule for Safe Following Distance [Video], How to Drive Safely in Strong Wind and Rain [Video]. Your tire tread is an essential component of that critical bond between your vehicle's tires and the road. The rule, endorsed by Michelin, said if you can see the top of Lincolns head when the coin is upside down on the tire, then you need to change it. This is why experts suggest using a specialized tire tread gauge, a penny, or a quarter.Where To Measure Tire Tread Depth. The wired editors at The Drive have driven thousands of cars and disintegrated hundreds of pounds of rubber, so were pretty familiar with the stuff. This can indicate a need to have a wheel alignment performed, a suspension or steering repair diagnosed and completed, or a tire balance issue. I was not sure if he needed to change tires. Luckily, you can test your treads using spare change: Take a penny and place it in multiple grooves around your tires. So, if youre not quite sure how to check a tire tread, read on to find out. Using a quarter, your tires have more than 4/32 tread if the top of Washingtons head is always covered. Match tires to my year, make, model & version. If the top of Lincoln's head is always covered, you have more than 2/32 of tread remaining. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends checking your vehicles tires at least once a month. Most experts and mechanics agree that 2/32 of an inch is the shallowest a tread can be while still maintaining reasonably safe traction. Non-directional tires have strips of tread around the circumference followed by shallow, recessed strips. If you typically drive between 12,000-15,000 miles per year, you should plan on changing your tires every 3-5 years or between 40,000-60,000 miles. Start pushing down on the indicator gauge which is where youll find a list of measurements. * When using the "penny test" to check your tread depth, which of the following indicates when the tires are too worn? Locate your tire size information on your tire's sidewall or owner's manual. Tyre and safety experts believe the 1.6mm legal minimum is insufficient to guarantee safety - most recommend a minimum tread depth of 3mm for tyre replacement. Ensuring you are driving a safe vehicle is important not only for your own safety but for other people on the road as well. Take the gauge and push in the measurement pin until its flush with the base of the gauge. Hey, were cautious, but not that cautious. He enjoys helping us out and Chris always values his opinion when designing something new for the website. Different gauges will use different measurement increments, but youll want to see what the nearest 1/32 measurement is. retail display fixtures. Tires are important to a driver's safety primarily because As a driver, youre responsible for the condition of the vehicle you are operating - whether it is your own, a friend or family members car, or a rental. B. the driver turns corners too fast A. the tires need professional alignment Thats because the distance between the edge of the penny and the top of Lincolns head is approximately 2/32 of an inch the bare minimum tread depth to maintain safe control of your vehicle. Directional tires may not have deep grooves that run around the entire circumference of the tire tread, but they will still have deep grooves as well as some smaller grooves to help improve grip. Use us, compliment us, yell at us. The most common of several methods for taking this measurement are: checking tread wear indicator bars, using the penny test, or measuring with a tire tread depth gauge. The penny test is an easy way to check the tread on your vehicles tires. 800-667-8138 Hours: Navigating Your Business Through COVID-19, Travelers customer? Studies also show that traction and stopping power drop significantly from a tire with 4/32nds of an inch of tread to one with 2/32nds of an inch, and most experts agree that it is best to begin looking to replace tires when they fall below the larger of the two depths. Our service team is available 7 days a week, Monday - Friday from 6 AM to 5 PM PST, Saturday - Sunday 7 AM - 4 PM PST. Measure the tread depth about 1 in. You should use the smallest measurement as the basis for your decisions about replacing tires. Step 7: Check for exposed cords on your tire. Its common to see fine cracks forming either between the tread blocks or on the sidewalls, but it should never expose the cords or leak air. So, you might be wondering why you should check your tire tread depth, and thats a valid question. A regular car maintenance routine can help protect the value and safety of your car. If Honest Abe's head is covered, then your tires still have more than 2/32nds of tread. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. Keep in mind, if youre at the wear bars, its already time to replace your tires. All you need to do is insert the pin (middle part of the gauge) into the tread. Again, you may see some fine cracks here. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Place the penny with Lincolns head facing you and upside down in the tread. A. check tire pressure when tires are cold How To Check Tire Tread (Depth) - TireGrades Theres little attention given to your vehicle aside from making sure theres enough fuel in the tank to get you where you need to go. Then, follow these instructions: One good practice that responsible car owners implement is to check the tire tread any time they check tire pressure. Consistently check your tire tread to know when to change your tires. The lower part of the ball joint is inserted into the control arm (retained by a circular clip) and the upper part is inserted into the Get a fair & transparent quote instantly before booking. b. Valid on service and installation purchases of $50 or more using the Goodyear Credit Card.. When you check the tread depth of the tire, where should you insert the penny on the tire? Research source, Variation: If you live in a rainy area, drive a vehicle with larger tires, or you want to be more proactive when it comes to replacing your tires, grab a quarter instead of a penny. Research source, Tip: If you arent sure how old your tires are but they were made after 2000, look for a string of embossed letters and numbers printed directly on the tire. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Since a tread thats 2/32 of an inch deep is considered worn out, 50% tire tread is actually around 6/32 of an inch. For an added measure of safety, consider replacing your tires at 4/32. Its tough to fit an instrument in there to get an accurate measurement. Depending on how much you drive, you likely only need to check tire tread once or twice a month. You can find the tread wear indicator less than an inch (2/32 of an inch) from the bottom of the tread groove. Can't find your version/option? Holding the penny this way, insert the penny so that Lincolns head goes into the groove of your tire. While youre checking your tire tread, its a good idea to do an inspection of the tire by rubbing your hand across it and feeling for defects or issues. Visually check for anything that looks like it doesnt belong. The amount of performance lost between new tires and those worn all the way down to 4/32 is significant. All trademarks property of their respective owners. Just let us know how we can help you. Tread wear indicators or wear bars are located at the base of tire grooves. We couldn't find this location in the U.S. or Canada. Step 5: Note any inconsistencies in tread depth on each tire. Looks like you previously searched for tires for a: Would you like to see tires for this VEHICLE or start a new search? Head to https://www.squarespace.com/alexaraye to get 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code ALEXARAYE w e l c o m e to or welcome ba. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. The Drive and its partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links. Find the most worn or lowest point on the tire. 4080 kg. a. B. found on the dashboard instrumentation The lifespan of a tire can range anywhere from 25,000 miles to 100,000 miles. Also, climatic changes can exacerbate this problem. Likewise, the U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards require all tires to be manufactured with a visual indicator allowing drivers to know when the tread has worn down to 2/32nds of an inch or less. Learn more about how it works. Perform the penny test by placing a penny into the tread groove with President Lincoln's head upside down. We recommend new tires at 4/32. Fine Print & Legal Disclaimers: Rebates & specials, Visa. The graduated probe has a thin, retractable rod, a perpendicular foot, and a cylinder with measurements marked on it. Step 1: Find the proper tire pressure for your vehicle.
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