How to Check Tire Tread Depth

Curious about how to check tire tread depth? If your vehicle’s tires look damaged or worn, determining if your tires need replacing is easy. All you need is a penny or a ruler. Before you resume driving around Mamaroneck, continue reading to learn more about how to check for tire tread wear and tear.

What’s Considered a Safe Depth for Tire Tread?

The depths of tire treads will vary from tire to tire and possibly from manufacturer to manufacturer. Typically, new tires have a tread depth that’s approximately 10-11/32 of an inch. Tires that are classified as heavy-duty like those for off-road or winter driving tend to have deeper treads for better traction.

When the tread on your tires decreases to approximately 2/32 of an inch, tire replacement is recommended according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. Properly maintaining your tires is essential to driving safely on roads in Harrison.

How to Check Tire Tread Wear

You may ask yourself, “How do I check tire tread wear?” To answer this question, locate some loose change and pick out a penny. The most accurate way to establish tire depth is with a ruler, but you may not have one readily available, so a penny will do. Penny in hand, perform the following steps:

• With Lincoln’s head facing your and upside down, place the penny in between the grooves of the tire.
• See how much of Lincoln’s head is covered by the tread.
• The tread on your tires is 2/32 of an inch or less if you can see his entire face. If you can see his face, you need new tires as soon as possible.
• Conduct the same penny test on different areas of all four tires.

How to Best Maintain Your Tires

If it’s not time to visit your dealership’s service department, you can maintain your tires to the best of your ability:

• Make sure the wheels are properly aligned
• Regularly rotate your tires
• Periodically check tire pressure, even in the spare tire
• Routinely check the tires for visible signs of damage
• See if any part of the tire is rotting or disintegrating

Service Your Vehicle in Mamaroneck Today

Knowing how to check tire tread is essential especially if you live in an area that experiences winter and other periods of inclement weather. It’s all part of maintaining your vehicle so it lasts for years to come. Contact us to perform routine maintenance on your car, truck or SUV or to schedule service in New Rochelle. Our experienced team is prepared to help with your tire needs from repairs to replacement, learning about the BMW X5 accessories available, learn how often to replace a car battery, and everything in between.