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A tire becomes legally worn out when its tread depth reaches two thirty-second (2/32) of an inch, according to most jurisdictions throughout North America. To lower your risk for vehicular accidents associated with low tire tread, check your tire tread using the penny test, the quarter test, by examining the treadwear indicator bars molded into your tires, or using a tread depth gauge.
Steps
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Place a penny into any tread groove on your tire.
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Rotate the penny so Abraham Lincoln’s head is upside down and inside the tread. [1] X Trustworthy Source Consumer Reports Nonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing Go to sourceAdvertisement
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Determine whether you can see Lincoln’s entire head when the penny is inserted into the tread groove. Your tires are considered safe and legal if a portion of Lincoln’s head is covered by the tread. However, if you can see Lincoln’s entire head after inserting the penny into the groove, you may need to replace your tire. [2] X Research source
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Repeat steps #1 through #3 in various grooves all over your tire. If Lincoln’s head is visible in any groove, the tire may need replacing.
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Place a quarter into any tread groove on your tire.
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Rotate the quarter so George Washington’s head is upside down and inside the tread. [3] X Trustworthy Source Consumer Reports Nonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing Go to source
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Determine whether you can see Washington’s entire head when the quarter is inserted into the tread groove. If a portion of Washington's head is always covered by the tread, your tire has more than four thirty-second of an inch of tread depth remaining, which indicates your tires are still in good condition. [4] X Research source
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Repeat steps #1 through #3 in various grooves all over your tire. If Washington’s entire head is visible in any groove, you may need to replace the tire.
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Examine your tire to locate the treadwear indicator bars molded into the tread grooves. These “bars” are located at the bottom of tread grooves in various locations all over your tire, and can help you visibly determine whether your tire tread is low. [5] X Research source
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Check to see whether the treadwear bars are flush with the adjacent ribs. If so, this means your tire tread measures in at two thirty-second of an inch, and the tire should be replaced.
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Purchase a tire tread depth gauge from any auto parts store. Most models of tread depth gauges cost between $3 and $8 from any auto parts retail store.
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Place the end of the probe into any tread groove on your tire.
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Push down on the base of the gauge until the shoulders of the device lie flat against the tread block.
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Grab the barrel of the gauge and carefully remove the device from the groove without touching the probe.
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Make note of the tread depth reading.
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Repeat steps #2 through #5 on various parts of the tire. This allows you to find out whether any grooves in your tire measure higher than two thirty-second of an inch, and whether your tire needs replacing.
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow can I prolong the life of my car's tires?Jason Shackelford is the Owner of Stingray Auto Repair, a family owned and operated auto repair shop with locations in Seattle and Redmond, Washington. He has over 24 years of experience in auto repair and services, and every single technician on Jason’s team has more than 10 years of experience.I recommend incorporating an annual tire rotation into your maintenance routine and regularly checking tire pressure. This proactive approach not only extends the lifespan of your car tires but also helps prevent undesirable tread wear, ensuring optimal performance and safety.
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Tips
- Consider replacing your tire if its tread depth measures in at four thirty-second of an inch if you frequently drive in rainy or snowy conditions. This can help prevent your tires from losing traction or hydroplaning on wet roads due to low tire tread.Thanks
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Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about car maintenance, check out our in-depth interview with Jason Shackelford .
References
- ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/video/view/cars/car-care/5305389891001/autos-tips-checking-tire-tread/
- ↑ https://www.angieslist.com/articles/how-check-tire-tread.htm
- ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/video/view/cars/car-care/5305389891001/autos-tips-checking-tire-tread/
- ↑ https://www.codot.gov/travel/winter-driving/quartertest
- ↑ https://www.dummies.com/home-garden/car-repair/checking-your-tires-for-wear/
About This Article
Article Summary
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To check your tire tread, put a penny into any tread groove upside down so Abraham Lincoln’s head is inside the tread. If you can see all of Lincoln’s head, you may need to replace your tire. You can also perform the same test using George Washington’s head on a quarter. Alternatively, look for the treadwear indicator bars, which are located at the bottom of the tread grooves throughout your tire Then, check if the bar is flush with the adjacent ribs, which means your tire needs replacing. For tips on how to use a tread depth gauge, read on!
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