\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. However, some tire manufactures and tire shops now say that 4/32 of an inch is about as shallow as you want your treads. This can help a mechanic determine the location of a problem. Some gauges are needle-shaped, and a part extends to measure the tread depth. On tires with degrading rubber, the tread can separate from the body of the tire. B. often unreliable If Lincolns head is partially or fully covered by the tire tread, your tire has enough tread to drive safely. Take a look at the coverage you get under Goodyear's service warranties. 2023 To perform thepenny tire test, start by holding a penny so that the face of the coin is facing you. Flip it so that Lincolns head is still facing you, but the top of his head is at the bottom of the coin. Watch the video below and learn how a penny, a quarter, a tread depth gauge, or even an indicator built into your tires tread can help you understand when its time to replace your tires. When the object is stuck in Hi there. Use the penny to gauge the tread depth and wear on the remaining tires. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. For the best experience, please consider upgrading to the most current version of your browser. Maybe the easiest way to check tread depth is to examine the tread wear indicator bars. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Just choose an area where youll be able to see the penny. Uneven wear can occur either around the tire or across the contact patch. Step 1: Place a penny between the tread blocks of your tire. Whichever method you use, you need to check the tread depth at various points around the tire's circumference. Checking your tires is an important part of making sure you are driving a safe vehicle. * How often should you check the tire pressure of all your tires? Inspecting your tires only takes a few minutes and changeCheck multiple grooves in your tires with a few spare coins to see if they have enough tread. Please enter a valid U.S. or Canadian address and try again. Enjoy! Checking tire tread measurements doesnt absolutely require placing something in the tread groove to check tire tread depth. Quite simply, your tires are made of rubber. Howard Fleischmann. 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. If you can see some of the writing where it says dollars, you need new tires, as the tread is too worn. For an added measure of safety, consider replacing your tires at 4/32. References With less tread on your tires, your car doesnt get the same amount of grip driving down the road. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Step 7: Check for exposed cords on your tire. Rapporto PMI Centro-Nord 2016. After you follow these steps and repeat the tire check a few times, it should become second nature and youll easily remember how to do the inspection. C. are usually broken Safety! You can also perform the exact same test with a quarter. The first number that appears is the tire tread depth measurement. Step 1: Look at the area between the tread blocks to check for cracking. The penny test (shown below) is the easy way to check a tire tread's depth when you don't have a depth gauge. Close button - log out modalxClose button - log out modal, Close modal button - Goodyear need help vehicle modal, Hours: If you could cut your tire in half, itd be easy to use a tape measure to see how tall your tread is. Finding your tire size is simple. B. there are no problems with the tires Still, the penny test is the best option if youre trying to get the optimal mileage out of your tires. When the tread wears down to become even with this level, the tire should be replaced. Let us guide you there. All rights reserved. In this case, 100% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. A regular car maintenance routine can help protect the value and safety of your car. D. are unclean, If the grooves in the tire have almost disappeared from the tire, this condition means However, many tire professionals now recommend replacing tires when their tread depth reaches 4/32nds of an inch instead of 2/32nds. How Long Can You Drive With Low Tire Pressure? Treat them right! Insert the quarter into the tires tread groove and see how much is exposed. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. If the top of Lincolns head is exposed, you need to have your tires replaced. If youre using a quarter, do the same thing with George Washingtons face. Find the auto and tire services you're looking for. How to measure tire tread depth Goodyear, How to check tire tread depth Progressive Insurance, In 42 states, 2/32 is the legal minimum tread depth, In 2 states, 1/32 is the legal minimum tread depth, In 6 states, there is no legal minimum tread depth. Doing it any sooner will be premature, and will cause you to spend more money than you need to on tires (since youll be replacing them more often than you need). Proper tread allows your vehicle to gain traction and wick water away the tires. What does that mean? Locate your tire size information on your tire's sidewall or owner's manual. If the tread touches Washington's head, you have at least 4/32 of an inch of tread remaining. A visual inspection should be adequate with more thorough inspections performed every six months. You should be looking at an upside-down Lincoln. The Chrysler Oil Change Indicator lets you know when and what service your car needs. There are four quick and easy methods of how to find your tires tread depth. Take care of your auto service and maintenance needs at a service center near you. How Fast Can You Drive On A Patched Tire? If the crack is wide enough to fit the corner of a credit card in, the tire should be replaced immediately. 6 Months. If a tire is less than 3/32 of an inch, its time to get new tires. If you find that the tread reaches 4/32 of an inch deep, it should be monitored more closely as replacement tires may be necessary as your tires tread is wearing down. 4080 kg. 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. 800-667-8138 Hours: This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. While you cant get an exact measurement from your wear bars, you can get a good idea of how closely your tires are coming to reaching the minimum depth or whether they have already reached that point by a simple visual inspection. You should have your brakes checked whenever you rotate your tires (usually about every 6,000 miles), but check your owner's manual to see what the manufacturer recommends. Inflate the tires with an air compressor if the pressure is too low. 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. Because of the role that tire treads play in traction and safety, theyre an integral part of the safety of your vehicle. What Happens If You Never Rotate Your Tires? 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. While 2/32 of an inch or 3/32 of an inch may pass safety tests, neither has been proven effective or safe in less-than-ideal weather conditions. To conduct the penny test, just follow these steps: Because more tire repair shops and experts tend to err on the side of caution, they often recommend a tread depth of no less than 4/32 of an inch. This will "zero" the tool and get the pin out of the way. If you have a penny or a quarter handy, a check of your tire treads shouldnt take more than a few seconds. Just let us know how we can help you. Looking for tire related content? Do not drive in the rain if your tread is less than, In many countries and most US states, driving with a tire tread under. to walk you through the process. Do You Need To Rotate Tires Every 5000 Miles? You entered a Canadian address. Tire problems are thought to be a factor in one out of 11 vehicle crashes.1Blowouts, tread separation, under inflation, and worn treadsthe grooves in your tires that offer stability and tractionare some of the tire problems associated with these crashes. B. tires stop the car 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. Another way to check your tread depth is to use a tire tread depth gauge. C. found on the sidewall of a tire This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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