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Tire tread depth is a vertical measurement starting from the top of a tire’s rubber to the bottom of its deepest grooves. Tire tread is the part of the tire that makes contact with the road. As tire tread inevitably wears down over time, traction and responsiveness will decrease so it’s important to keep an eye on tread wear so you know when it’s time to rotate your tires and eventually replace them.
To check your tire tread at home, try using the penny method. Simply place a U.S. penny headfirst into several tread grooves on different areas of the tire. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, your treads are shallow and worn, and it may be time to replace your tires. If part of Lincoln’s head is always covered by the tread, you have more than 2/32 of an inch of tread depth remaining.
Some light truck and performance tires come with a tire tread wear bar. The indicator is located in between the tire treads, so if the indicator bar is even with your current tread wear, it’s time to replace your tires.
Even with these tricks, it can be difficult to accurately gauge your tire tread wear with the naked eye. The experts at Tires Plus can help by doing an inspection and recommending the best course of action for your vehicle.
There are a few different patterns for typical tire wear and some of them can be warning signs for other issues with your vehicle. Make sure your tires are the right size, aligned and inflated properly and get regular tire rotations to promote even tire wear that helps ensure your tires last as long as possible. Here are a few tire tread wear patterns to watch out for:
In the United States, tread depth is measured in 32nds of an inch and in most states, it’s illegal to drive on tires with less than 2/32 of one inch of tread. Make sure to check your tire tread periodically or ask the experts at a Tires Plus location to do an inspection during a tire rotation service.
6/32 and above | In good condition |
Between 4/32 and 5/32 | Time to inspect for replacement |
2/32 and lower | Replace as soon as possible |
If you’re ready to start shopping for a new set of tires, you can count on Tires Plus to have a wide range of options from trusted brands.
Low charge, high stress? If your electric vehicle runs out of juice, don’t panic. Learn what happens next and how to stay powered up for stress-free travels.
Should you equip your car with winter tires this season? Learn why you may need them, the best time to switch, and get recommendations for winter tires here.
Should you equip your car with winter tires this season? Learn why you may need them, the best time to switch, and get recommendations for winter tires here.