How should I check my tire’s tread wear?

If your tires are worn down to the point of being bald, it's a clear sign that you've waited too long to replace them. Regularly checking your tire tread is crucial for ensuring they're safe to drive on and for determining when it's time to invest in a new set. Below there are four quick and easy methods of how to find your tire’s tread depth.

An easy way to check tread wear is to perform the penny test:

Quarter Test for Tire Tread Wear Measurement

Check the Tire Tread Wear Indicator

Utilize the tire tread wear indicator as an additional method to assess your tire tread depth. This indicator is typically located within an inch (2/32 of an inch) from the bottom of the tread groove. When the tread wears down to this point, it indicates that the tire needs to be replaced.

While U.S. coins can be used to estimate remaining tread depth as a tire approaches the end of its useful life, the established method of measuring remaining tread depth in the U.S. is with a gauge that reads in 32nds of an inch (other countries measure tread depth in millimeters). Typical tire tread depth gauges measure up to 32/32nds (or 25-26mm) since almost all passenger car and light truck tires begin with less than one inch of tread depth.

While U.S. coins can be used to estimate remaining tread depth as a tire approaches the end of its useful life, the established method of measuring remaining tread depth in the U.S. is with a gauge that reads in 32nds of an inch (other countries measure tread depth in millimeters). Typical tire tread depth gauges measure up to 32/32nds (or 25-26mm) since almost all passenger car and light truck tires begin with less than one inch of tread depth.

To use a tread depth gauge, follow the steps below:

Step 1

Confirm which measuring scale you are using. Some tread depth gauges measure in 32nds of an inch (left), while others measure in both 32nds of an inch and millimeters (right).

Step 2

Push the tread depth gauge against a hard, flat surface to confirm it "zeros out" when fully compressed.

Step 3

Push the measuring scale into the gauge as far as it will go

Step 4

Place the probe into the center of a circunferential tire groove and push down on the gauge's base.

Step 5

Do not place the probe on the molded tread wear indicators or on any raised surfaces of the tread design.

Step 6

Carefully remove gauge by holding its barrel (without touching the probe) and confirm the tread depth reading.

Step 7

Place the probe into additional locations around the central circunferential tire groove at lease 15 inches apart and repeat.

Step 8

Place the probe into the inner and outer circunferential grooves and repeat.

Step 9

Average all readings.

Step 10

Identify the percentage of tire wear by confirming the tire's original/new tread depth in its specs compared to the remaining tread depth just measured.

To use a tread depth gauge, follow the steps below:

Step 1

Confirm which measuring scale you are using. Some tread depth gauges measure in 32nds of an inch (left), while others measure in both 32nds of an inch and millimeters (right).

Step 2

Push the tread depth gauge against a hard, flat surface to confirm it "zeros out" when fully compressed.

Step 3

Push the measuring scale into the gauge as far as it will go

Step 4

Place the probe into the center of a circunferential tire groove and push down on the gauge's base.

Step 5

Do not place the probe on the molded tread wear indicators or on any raised surfaces of the tread design.

Step 6

Carefully remove gauge by holding its barrel (without touching the probe) and confirm the tread depth reading.

Step 7

Place the probe into additional locations around the central circunferential tire groove at lease 15 inches apart and repeat.

Step 8

Place the probe into the inner and outer circunferential grooves and repeat.

Step 9

Average all readings.

Step 10

dentify the percentage of tire wear by confirming the tire's original/new tread depth in its specs compared to the remaining tread depth just measured.

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How to read my tires?

Find out here

How to pick up my tires?

Learn more

How to contact Us?

Call

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