Home » Automobiles » How can I tell if my tires need to be replaced?

Answers

1. 

   178

   

   9-10-11

   MrFF says:

   < What the finders found >

   Time to re-tire

   Most states’s laws say that tires are legally worn out when they have 2/32″ or less tread depth remaining. All tires sold in North America have “wear bars” in the grooves between the tread that are, you guessed it, 2/32″ tall. So when the wear bars are even with your tread, it’s definitely time to replace those tires.

   Realistically speaking, once a tire drops below 4/32″ it can no longer effectively displace water on a wet road, and hydroplaning and a resulting loss of control becomes a real danger. If you live somewhere where it snows, consider replacing your tires when they reach approximately 6/32″ of remaining tread depth.

   Figuring it out

   OK, great. So the tread is taller than the wear bars. How do I figure out just how much tread is actually left? Well, you could go out and buy a tread depth gauge. They aren’t that expensive and give a nice accurate reading. However, this article on TireRack.com says you probably have all the tools you need to measure your tires’ tread right in your pocket.

   Dig in there and pull out a penny and a quarter. Now you’re set.

   • Take a penny and place Abe head down into the grooves of the tire. As long as part of his head is covered by the tread, you’ve got more than 2/32″ remaining. Repeat in several areas to be sure.
   • Grab a quarter and put George head down into the grooves. Repeat in several areas. As long as part of his head is always covered by the tread, you’ve got more than 4/32″ of tread remaining. And he cannot tell a lie.
   • Now take that penny again, flip it over, and put the Lincoln Memorial upside down into the groove. If the top of the memorial is always covered by the tread after trying several locations across the tire, you have more than 6/32″ of tread remaining.

   And people say the penny is worthless!

>