QA

Quick Answer: How To Read Tire Tread Wear

How do you read a tire wear indicator?

The penny test is pretty simple. Take a penny and hold it with Lincoln’s head upside down. Place it inside one of the grooves between the tread. If Lincoln’s entire head is visible, your tread has worn down at or below 1/16 of an inch and should be replaced.

How do you measure tire tread wear?

Simply insert a penny into your tire’s tread groove with Lincoln’s head upside down and facing you. If you can see all of Lincoln’s head, your tread depth is less than 2/32 inch and it’s time to replace your tires.

What is good tire tread depth?

New tires typically come with 10/32” or 11/32” tread depths, and some truck, SUV and winter tires may have deeper tread depths than other models. The U.S. Department of Transportation recommends replacing tires when they reach 2/32”, and many states legally require tires to be replaced at this depth.

How many 32nds is the wear bar on a tire?

The tread wear bars on a tire sit precisely at 2/32″.

What do the wear bars on tires mean?

Designed specifically to help you gauge your tire health, indicator bars are small tread marks that are cut off at the lowest safety point in your tire tread. These bars are often raised to 2/32”, the hazard point in most tires. When your tread aligns with the wear bars, it means you are ready for a new set of tires.

What do tire wear indicators look like?

The tread wear indicators, which look like narrow strips of smooth rubber across the tread, will appear on the tire when that point of wear is reached. When you see these wear bars, the tire is worn out and it’s time to replace the tire. Take a penny and place it with Lincoln’s head down in the tread groove.

Is 7 32 A good tire tread depth?

A tread depth gauge is the most accurate way. 6/32″ or higher: Your tire’s tread depth is sufficient. 5/32″: If snow-covered roads are a concern, you should consider replacing your tires. 4/32″: If you frequently drive on wet roads, consider replacing your tires.

Should I replace tires at 4 32?

The Tire Rack’s advice is that if rain and wet roads are a concern, you should consider replacing your tires when they reach approximately 4/32″ of remaining tread depth. Since water can’t be compressed, you need enough tread depth to allow the rain to escape through the tire’s grooves.

What is 6 32 tire tread mean?

6/32” Your tire’s tread depth is sufficient for 3-seasons but nearing minimum for a winter tire. 5/32” If wet roads are a concern, consider replacing your tires. 4/32” – 3/32” Seriously consider replacing your tires as soon as possible.

Is 75 tire tread good?

Used tires tread can be up to 90%, but the average is 6-8/32”. Tires in good condition should have a minimum of 6/32” to be useful, or 4/32” if the tire is 13-14”. The average legal minimum tread depth is 2/32”, but driving becomes unsafe with such a tread.

How many miles are tires good for?

Your tires should last 50,000 to 60,000 miles on average. But that really depends on the manufacturer. Some manufacturers build their tires to last up to 80,000 miles, while some design their tires to last as little as 30,000 miles. You can see how many miles to expect out of a tire by checking its treadwear rating.

How many mm tread before changing tires?

Fast facts: When to replace tires You must replace tires when the tread depth falls below 1.6 mm, which is the legal limit. Continental recommends changing summer tires at 3 mm and winter tires at 4 mm tread depth; after this point safety and performance characteristics are not optimal.

How many 32nds is a new tire?

New tires have an average tread depth of 8 to 9 millimeters (10/32 to 11/32 inches). As you drive, the tread will wear down. A tire with a tread depth below 1.6 millimeters (2/32 inches) lacks grip. Braking distance and vehicle control are impaired.

What percentage is 5 32 on a tire?

This means you have 5/32 of 1 inch of tread remaining on your car tires. On most passenger car tires, this represents approximately 60% wear so you may want to start thinking about choosing a replacement set.

What percentage tread is 8 32?

8/32″ of useable tread depth. A tire that starts with 10/32″ of original tread depth has 12.5% wear for every 1/32″ that is worn away, and a tire that starts with 12/32″ ” of original tread depth, has 10% wear for every 1/32″ that is worn away, etc.

What do tread wear numbers mean?

Treadwear. The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified government test track. In theory, this means that a tire with a 200 grade will wear twice the distance as a tire with a 100 grade.

Do all tires have a tread wear indicator?

Some tires might not have wear bars at all. Instead, they have wear indicator dimples. These dimples can be found in select positions on the tread blocks or ribs. While they look different, they still tell us the same thing.