READING AND UNDERSTANDING TIRE WEAR BARS

Tread wear indicator bars are small, raised bars found within the grooves of your tires between the tread markings. They are placed all around the tire at different points to help signal if the tire tread is worn out.

Tire tread helps stabilize your car in wet conditions, provides better traction and handling, and improves cornering. Without it, you might find yourself spinning out of control! That’s why it’s so important to keep an eye on your tires’ wear bars.

The purpose of the wear bars is to offer a visual indication of if the tire tread is worn to 2/32 of an inch.

Most tire wear bars sit at 2/32” tread depth, which is the minimum legal tread depth for tires in most states.  When your tire tread is at the same level as your tire wear bars, this is a clear sign your tires are worn out and it’s time for new tires.  Most manufacturers may suggest replacing tires sooner for your safety on the road.

1. Get to know your tire tread. A tire’s tread pattern is made up of raised surfaces, called tire ribs, and inlaid channels, called tread voids. Tire wear refers to when the raised rib of the tire wears down after miles of use.

2. Find the wear bars. Look for small perpendicular blocks sitting in the grooves of your tires. These are your tire wear bars.

3. Visually check tread depth. Compare the height of the tire wear bars to the tire ribs. If the ribs match the height of the tire wear bars, your tires will need replacing.

4. Feel the difference. Visually checking tread condition isn’t your only option. You can feel the difference by running your finger along the tire rib and over the tire wear bars. If you feel the wear bar against your finger as evenly as the tread, then it’s time for new tires. Careful, and remember to look before you touch. Steel belts can be exposed on very worn tires and tires can pick up debris.