\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Go behind the speeds. Some spare change is really all you need. This rule operates under the impression that 2/32 of an inch is the limit of an operational tire. Checking your tire treads is as simple as sticking a piece of change in the treads. Step 1: Place a penny between the tread blocks of your tire. Hold it in the same way so that Washingtons face is facing you and hes upside-down. Tire failure can result from operating on such a tire. D. when the car is parked, If a driver needs to adjust the PSI in a tire, which is an action that should NEVER be done? If your tire has worn down until flush with any of the tread wear indicator bars, its time to replace it, even if the tread is still higher than the indicator bars elsewhere on the tire. Explore the world of Goodyear racing. Learn the signs on when your tires should be replaced from the professionals at Goodyear. A. 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. Visually look for metal or fabric strands sticking out of your tire. Before you conduct any of these tests, make sure your vehicle is in the park, the ignition is off, and the parking brake is engaged to prevent the vehicle from rolling. But as you can see in the video, even 2/32 of an inch of tire tread isnt a great idea. To use the gauge, fully extend the rod and insert it into one of the grooves. This is roughly, When the penny is right-side up, Lincolns eyes are roughly, For the quarter test, so long as the rubber meets George Washingtons forehead, youre good. [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. However, some tire manufactures and tire shops now say that 4/32 of an inch is about as shallow as you want your treads. The problem is that the tread is small, and the groove is even smaller. Try searching by your vehicle's tire size instead. Push the penny as far down as it goes, then inspect how much of Lincoln you can see. This article has been viewed 288,767 times. Kelsey's law requires that a driver on a level _____ License may not use their cell phone while One learners and two intermediate 22. they can even order for you. If you can see the top of Lincoln's head, the tires are completely worn out and need to be replaced stat. Get protection that can help give you peace of mind when you're on the road. That is certainly true. Tires age whether they are driven on or notbe sure to check tires on recreation vehicles, trailers, collector cars, community vehicles and 15-passenger vans, too. This type pattern indicates accelerated wear and can cause tire damage. The experts at CR show you how to check your tires so you'll know exactly when to replace them. you should check the tire tread every quizlet D. to balance out the tires, to place tires in different positions for even wear. If you cant see the top of Washingtons head, your tires are still good to go. Step 3: Measure two or three spots across the tread contact patch of your tire. Once your treads wear this much, you should replace your tires as soon as possible. However, you can diagnose tire problems and correct them early by performing three critical tire maintenance chores: checking the tire pressure, measuring the tread depth regularly, and rotating tires every 6,000 miles. The use of pictures helped improve my understanding of the correct process. Your tires tread depth is critical to the safety of your vehicle on wet roads. How Often Should Tire Pressure Be Checked? Monitor the tread using the penny test to make sure your tread doesn't get dangerously low. Many people think only worn tires need to be replaced. This issue is most commonly caused by the driveline shaft's slip-yoke and splines. Each time you check another portion of the tire, rotate the coin so that Abraham Lincolns hair is always pointing towards the center of the rim. 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. Check your online order history and manage your profile. So, you might be wondering why you should check your tire tread depth, and thats a valid question. Flat rate pricing based on labor time and parts, Hand-picked, community-rated professionals, Trusted mechanics, rated by thousands of happy car As you can see, there are a few different methods and tools you can use to check tire tread depth. We're sending you to Goodyear's Canada site to see results - don't worry, we saved your tire information. D. the tire provides better traction on the road, If your tires show signs of uneven wear, this shows that b. Send us a note: guidesandgear@thedrive.com. 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. With this gauge, youre simply seeing how far the measurement pin was pushed down. To perform thepenny tire test, start by holding a penny so that the face of the coin is facing you. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Because tires wear unevenly, measurements should be taken in different locations around the tire. Just barely! Another way to check your tread depth is to use a tire tread depth gauge. If youre ready to choose your next set of tires, check out our Tire Finder. This shaft usually displays the measurements in both 32nds of an inch and millimeters. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. Home / Tire Maintenance / Treadwear / Tire Tread Depth. 24 Months. Worn tread may be just one of many reasons to replace a set of tires. But one thing that no car owner should be without is the ability to check a tire tread. There are 11 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Every tire must have treads, which help in gripping and traction. Most new tires come with a feature built into the design of the tread pattern called awear bar. Its a specialized tool thats designed to be used on tires. * How often should your tires be rotated? It is accurate for measuring tires to roughly 2/32, however, we recommend the quarter test, as outlined above. Hydroplaningcan occur even with new tires, but worn tires make it much more likely to occur at speeds as low as 35 mph or even lower. 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 you can see all of Lincoln's head, it is time to replace your tires. B. tires stop the car Howard specializes in full-service auto repair and tire replacement and care for domestic/imported vehicles and large trucks. Comment below and lets talk! Idaho and Californias limit is at 1/32 of an inch to pass a safety test, while six states (Montana, New Mexico, Arkansas, North Dakota, West Virginia, and South Carolina) have no statewide standards regarding tread depth. Rapporto PMI Centro-Nord 2016. - reduces excessive steering - helps protect the driver from airbag injuries - improves vehicle stability Driving with the hands in the 8 o'clock and 4 o'clock position How To Check Tire Tread - 2021 Guide - Drive55 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. B. there are no problems with the tires Your tread shouldn't be less than 1/16 of an inch in the grooves. When you're looking at your tire, your sidewall should look similar to one of these two options. Example: The size of the tire below is 215/60/16. A. the lug nuts on the tires need to be tightened Though it may not leak immediately, it is unsafe to operate your car with a tire separation. 800-667-8138 Hours: A regular car maintenance routine can help protect the value and safety of your car. How To Check Your Tire Tread? (4-Step Guide) Example: The size of the tire below is 35/12.5/17. Keep Abe Lincolns hair pointing towards the center of the tire. If the top of Lincolns head is exposed, you need to have your tires replaced. Always replace your tires at the same time. C. the tires need less PSI This can indicate a need to have a wheel alignment performed, a suspension or steering repair diagnosed and completed, or a tire balance issue. You should use the smallest measurement as the basis for your decisions about replacing tires. 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. Tyre tread depth and tyre safety checks | RAC Drive He enjoys helping us out and Chris always values his opinion when designing something new for the website. Inflate the tires with an air compressor if the pressure is too low. Get the latest news and updates on Goodyear. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends checking your vehicles tires at least once a month. C. the tires will not grip the road Remove the valve stem cap from the valve stem by turning it counterclockwise. We recommend new tires at 4/32. Enter the second number on your tire's sidewall as highlighted below.Heads up: Some tires might show a number like 12.5 as 1250. If you have a penny or a quarter, youre in luck. You can find the tread wear indicator less than an inch (2/32 of an inch) from the bottom of the tread groove. Learn about our payment options and choose the one thats right for you. Step 2: Check the sidewall for cracking. You entered a Canadian address. This means that youll have 8/32 or 9/32 of an inch of wear before the tread becomes shallow enough for you to lose significant grip. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website.