\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. It is accurate for measuring tires to roughly 2/32, however, we recommend the quarter test, as outlined above. Step 1: Place a penny between the tread blocks of your tire. On a quarter, the distance between the top of George Washingtons hair and the tip of the quarter is 432in (0.32cm), which gives you an extra 232in (0.16cm) of breathing room. Copyright 2023 TireGrades | All Rights Reserved. 9AM 9PM ET Daily. Check different parts around tire, and if any point fails the test, get new tires. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Visually look for metal or fabric strands sticking out of your tire. A. A. stop and go speeds However, tire experts recommend you replace your tires is when the tread is worn down to between 4/32 and 3/32. Doing so will ensure you get an accurate tread depth measurement. Lets get to it. This type pattern indicates accelerated wear and can cause tire damage. [2] The ideal tread for most tires is around 1032 inch (0.79 cm), which is roughly the distance from the top edge of a penny to Abraham Lincoln's eyes when he's right-side up. Its a specialized tool thats designed to be used on tires. We recommend our users to update the browser. Explore the world of Goodyear racing. And if you're interested, Turn the quarter upside down with Washingtons head facing you. How Long Can You Drive With Low Tire Pressure? They suggest using the quarter test instead, since the standard distance from the top of Washingtons head to the edge of a quarter is 4/32nds of an inch. So put that change in your pocket to good use to help keep you safe. This is roughly. What Conditions Are Bad for a Car Air Filter? If your tire has a slow leak, this is likely due to a small hole being in it. When is the last time you checked your tires tread depth? 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 amount of wear is when most experts suggest that you should change your tires before they become too bald and dangerous. Check your local laws to make sure youre not violating any codes when using the street because we arent getting your ride out of the clink. The penny test is the quick method to determine whether you have enough tread left, although you should remain apprehensive or cautious when driving in inclement weather. The Drive and its partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links. We're sorry. Get discounts on oil changes and other popular auto services. 3 Essential Things to Know About Your Cars Rims, How to Know if You Need a Wheel Alignment, Understanding Jeep Oil Change Indicator Lights, Understanding the Chrysler Oil Change Indicator and Service Indicator Lights, Understanding Land Rover Service Indicator Lights, I have gotten my ball joints replaced and a new spindle and my wheel still keep coming off the ball joint keep coming apart. With a quarter upside down and with Washingtons head facing you, place the quarter in between the tires tread. I Tried a Hands-Free Dog Leash, and I No Longer Dread Walking My Dog, Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information. However, the actual amount of tread needed to safely drive and stop a vehicle in different conditions may exceed this technical minimum. 2022Recurrent Ventures. For the best experience, please consider upgrading to the most current version of your browser. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer). Insert the quarter into the tires tread groove and see how much is exposed. Flat rate pricing based on labor time and parts, Hand-picked, community-rated professionals, Trusted mechanics, rated by thousands of happy car This often costs $50-100 and can be done in under 2 hours if the mechanic isnt busy. Tips to Check Tire Tread | Travelers Insurance X Still have questions? Checking your tire treads is as simple as sticking a piece of change in the treads. These bars are chunks of rubber that span the grooves in the tread at different points around the circumference of the tire. Directional tires may not have deep grooves that run around the entire circumference of the tire tread, but they will still have deep grooves as well as some smaller grooves to help improve grip. The correct size information is important for accurate results. B. the driver turns corners too fast Then, follow these instructions: One good practice that responsible car owners implement is to check the tire tread any time they check tire pressure. This is because a tread with a depth of 4/32 of an inch is still relatively safe in snow, mud, and rainy weather. Then, inspect the last 4 numbers in this row. 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. It is caused by the two piece driveshaft slip joint binding up when the two shafts slide in and out of each other. These recessed strips are called the tread channels or grooves, and its the lowest point of your tires circumference. When should you use your low beam headlights At all times 23. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. With a test this easy, theres no excuse for not checking your treads at least once a month. Place the tire tread depth gauge on top of a groove of the tire. If you can see a space between the top of Lincolns head and the tread, or if the tread is flush with the top of Lincolns head, this means your tires are worn to the point that they are no longer safe and need to be changed. Looks like you previously searched for tires for a: Would you like to see tires for this VEHICLE or start a new search? A. the tires need professional alignment First, grab a penny and insert it into your tire's tread groove with Lincoln's head upside down and facing you. Then they have to spend big bucks to replace them. You'll now receive special savings and expert tire tips. Replacing tires when they are between 6 and 10 years old is recommended by some manufacturers.2That goes for the spare in your trunk, too. Tire tread depth gauges are a fast and easy way to determine with certainty if your tires are still safe for use or if they need to be replaced. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends checking your vehicles tires at least once a month. Put the base of the tread depth gauge on top of two tread blocks. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the most accurately informed choice. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. If the bears paws touch the top of the tread, youve got a brand new tire essentially. D. the tires are overinflated, What is the purpose of tire rotation The grooves in your tire tread are what allow water to escape from underneath the contact patch of your tires. Step 3: Measure two or three spots across the tread contact patch of your tire. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. With less tread on your tires, your car doesnt get the same amount of grip driving down the road. The wired editors at The Drive have driven thousands of cars and disintegrated hundreds of pounds of rubber, so were pretty familiar with the stuff. Determine the volume flow rate and the density of carbon dioxide at the inlet and the volume flow rate at the exit of the pipe using (a) the ideal-gas equation and (b) the generalized compressibility chart. Why Is My Tire Pressure Light Still On After Filling Tires? Ensuring you are driving a safe vehicle is important not only for your own safety but for other people on the road as well. Because tires wear unevenly, measurements should be taken in different locations around the tire. Youve probably heard the phrase tire treads a million times before, and you might have a firm or slight grasp of what they actually do. You can do the same test with a quarter to measure tire tread. The distance from the edge of the coin to the top of Lincolns head is about 2/32, which is the minimum tread depth you can safely have on your tires. How To Check Tire Tread by Yourself | The Drive Likewise, the U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards require all tires to be manufactured with a visual indicator allowing drivers to know when the tread has worn down to 2/32nds of an inch or less. Compare the tread depths to determine if they appear the same. If you can see the top of Lincoln's head, the tires are completely worn out and need to be replaced stat. Follow the blimp to find the most Blimpworthy. Nonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing, Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health, How to Put a Spare Tire on Your Vehicle: 11 Simple Steps. Match tires to my year, make, model & version. A. show that the tread of the tire is in optimal, good condition Something is apparently being overlooked, concerning the lower ball joint replacement (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/ball-joint-front-replacement). You can also shout at us on Twitter or Instagram, here are our profiles. If the tire tread depth is between his forehead and the top of his head, then your tires are ready to be replaced but it isnt an urgent issue.Penny Test Chart. Tire buying, simplified. Kelsey's law requires that a driver on a level _____ License may not use their cell phone while One learners and two intermediate 22. guides, Check cars for recalls, common issues & maintenance A. expensive to use Think about it: if youre approaching a stopped car, every foot between you and them matters. Another easy coin test to measure tread depth is the quarter test. Place the penny with Lincolns head facing you and upside down in the tread. Do You Need To Rotate Tires Every 5000 Miles? Call us. The graduated probe has a thin, retractable rod, a perpendicular foot, and a cylinder with measurements marked on it. (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=2ba02a33-c319-4410-bba7-f8321a13bed3&cid=877050e7-52c9-4c33-a20b-d8301a08f96d'; cnxps.cmd.push(function () { cnxps({ playerId: "2ba02a33-c319-4410-bba7-f8321a13bed3" }).render("00499ba9282e4d1b985fa8af14d29c2b"); }); You can pick up a tire tread depth gauge at any auto parts store. Let us guide you there. Howard is often referred to as The Car Guy for local TV stations and is a regular on TVs Channel 3 Sunday, Good Morning Arizona monthly. Insert a penny into your tire's tread groove with Lincoln's head upside down and facing you. A. check tire pressure when tires are cold Would you like to see tires for this SIZE or start a new search? When you want to know how thick your tire treads are, you want to know the total distance from the bottom of the main deep tread grooves to the top of your tread blocks (the tread surface). r change column value based on another column; I'm very impressed with the information you gave. If the top of his head is still buried, then youre good, for now. Then insert the penny into one of the treads grooves, with the head side facing you. Navigating Your Business Through COVID-19, Travelers customer? See how bundling multiple policies and a safe driving history can make all the difference on your monthly premium. If you can see the top of Abe's head, your tread is shallow. Your location helps us provide you with pricing and availability. References To use this method, take a penny and hold it so the engraving of Abraham Lincolns head points downward.