How to Check Tire Tread Depth - The Engineering Tools

There are different methods used for checking tire tread. If you have a highly worn tread, it can affect the tire’s performance and make driving difficult. The basic method for checking tread depth is to use a penny, which takes less time to do so. Let’s get started.

What does tread depth mean?

The tire tread is an important part of the tire that makes a connection with the road surface. It is created with blocks, grooves, and ribs that increase tire working.
Each manufacturer has its own design and working features. The main working of the tread is that it makes a connection between the tire and the road in moist conditions, which displaces water.

More water will clear through the deep tire tread and provide a strong grip.
If the tire tread pattern is damaged or worn down, it affects tire grip on the road.
It is needed to consider since it affects tire speed in rainy conditions.
So for proper working of the tire and safe driving, check the tread depth.

Why is measuring tire tread depth important?

If the tire tread depth has worn less than 3 mm, which affects grip on the road and affects longer distance driving, we must check the measurement one time a month, and it is important to check before longer distances.
However, driving with worn tires is risky and causes high-cost damage.
If you’re driving with a lower tire limit, there can be a £2,500 fine or higher.

What is the PENNY TEST?

In the USA, tire head depth is measured in 32nds of an inch. Normally new tires have 10/32” or 11/32” tread depths; truck and winter tires come with deeper tread depths.
It is recommended by the Department of Transportation that tires need to be replaced when they are 2/32”, and some states ask to be replaced tires with this value.
Penny test performed for checking that the tire has reached the 2/32” threshold.
• The penny test is performed as. First of all, put a penny between the tread ribs on the tire. The rib is the raised part of the tread that spans the tire circumference. Tire tread has many ribs.
Turn the penny in such a way that the head of Lincoln is facing down into the tread.
If the upper side of the head disappears between the ribs, the tread is over 2/32”.
If the complete head is visible, replace the tire since the tread is not deep enough.
For performing the penny tire test, do not check single tires; also check different points around each tire.
Find damaged parts on the tire; if part of the tread is deeper than 2/32”, replace the tire if the penny test fails.

If there is constant wear around the entire tire, that is normal, but uneven tread causes tire misalignment or any other errors.
If there is uneven tread wear, check with the technician.

What is the legal tread depth value?

for Cars, LCV

The minimum tread depth for cars, LCVs, and vans is 1.6 mm over the central 3 quarters of the tires and the complete circumference.
It is good to increase the safety measures of the car for
It is recommended to increase the safety of the car by replacing the tires before the 1.6 mm limit is reached. Many vehicle manufacturers suggest replacing the tires when they reach 3 mm.

Trucks and vehicles weigh more than 3.5 tonnes.

vehicle that weighs 3.5 tonnes, the instruction is that the tread value is one millimeter over the central 3 quarters of the tires and the complete circumference

Motorcycles

Motorcycles more than 500cc come with a minimum tread of one millimeter over 3 quarters of the width of the tread design and visible tread on the quarter part.
Motorcycles of 50 cc come with grooves in the tire pattern.

How to measure tire tread depth with a gauge

We can check the tread wear indicator to check the level of tread depth. These parameters are small points at the lower grooves on tires.
If the surface of the tread rubber is at the same level as the raised part, the tire tread depth is close to the limit value, and there is a need to check if the tire depth is close to the legal limit and then replace the tire with a new one.
Use a tire tread depth gauge to get the required results.
Take the measuring probe on tread depth as far as it can reach.
Put the probe on the tread groove, not on the tread wear indicators or the raised surface of the tread design. Apply force on the gauge base.
if the measured value is more than 1.6 mm, and the analog meter shows the measured value on the scale. The digital meter shows a reading on the screen.
Value taken over the complete circumference of the tire and over the central 3 quarters of tire width.
Do this process on other tires.

STANDARD for HOW TO CHECK TIRE TREAD DEPTH?

We can use a tread depth gauge and a tire tread depth manual to find how much tread exists on tires. Before that, get knowledge of how tire tread depth is measured.
in the USA, tire tread depth is measured in increments of 1/32”). New tire tread depth lies in the range of 10/32” and 12/32”, and off-road tires have treads about 15/32” deep.
It is a nominal value; the real usable tread depth on a tire having 10/32” depth is generally 8/32”.
If the tire is worn down to a depth of 2/32”, it is bald, and it will not fulfill the difficulties of driving.
If the tread depth gauge is 2/32” or less, replace it. If there is not depth gauge and tire tread depth manual, use the tread penny test.

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FAQs

How do I know if I have 3/32 tread depth?

Turn the penny so the head of Lincoln faces the downtread. Check if you do not see the head that lies between the ribs. In these conditions, the tread is more than 2/32”. If the complete head is visible, replace the tire.

What is good tire tread depth?

For good working, tires are good to work with when they come with 6/32 of an inch (4.8 mm) of tread depth.
Check tread depth with use of a tread depth gauge or through the penny test, in which we put a penny in the tread with Lincoln’s head facing down.

How many kilometers do tires last?

Some tires are made with a warranty of 100,000 km, and entry-level tires come with a warranty of about 60,000 km.
The summer tire was replaced at 3 mm tread depth, and the winter tires, also called snow tires, needed to be replaced with 4 mm tread depth.