How to Check Tire Tread Depth

Tire treads help your tires maintain good traction with the road in Clarion, ensuring your vehicle’s safety and comfort. Over time, the treads will wear out, until eventually there’s not enough tread depth remaining for optimal tire performance. When that happens, you’ll need tire replacement.

In this guide, Spitzer Chevrolet DuBois explains how to check tire tread depth so you can monitor your tread wear over time and get new tires when needed.

Tire Tread Facts

Before we teach you how to check tire tread depth, you should know the recommended tread depth and other important facts:

• A new set of tires usually have a tread depth of about 10/32 or 11/32 of an inch (about a third of an inch).
• Winter tires, tires designed for off-roading purposes, and some truck & SUV tires have deeper tread grooves.
• According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, you should replace your tires when their tread depth measures 2/32 of an inch.

Let’s find out if your tire tread depth is down to 2/32 of an inch with one of the following methods!

How Do I Check Tire Tread Wear with a Penny?

You can use a ruler to accurately measure your tire tread depth, but if you don’t have a ruler, you can use a penny instead. The design of the U.S. penny makes it a perfect and convenient tool for measuring tire wear. Here’s how to check tire tread depth with the penny test:

1. Insert the penny with Lincoln head-first into a tire tread groove.
2. Check if Lincoln’s head is covered and no longer visible between the grooves.
3. If you can see all of Lincoln’s head, your tire treads are 2/32 inches deep or less and it’s time to replace them.
4. Repeat this process on all four tires and in multiple locations on each tire.

How Do I Check Tire Tread Wear with a Tread Depth Gauge?

Besides the penny test, you can also buy a tread depth gauge from any Dubois or Brockway-area auto parts store. Insert the probe into the shallowest tread groove, then press the top bar of the gauge flat against the tire to see the tread wear rating.

How Do I Check Tire Tread Wear with Tread Wear Bars?

Most tires have tread wear indicator bars built into them. Check to see if yours has them when you look at the bottom of the tread grooves in multiple locations across the tires. If the bars are flush with the surrounding tire ribs, this means that the tread depth has reached 2/32 of an inch.

Learn More Car Care Tips With Spitzer Chevrolet DuBois

Looking for new Chevrolet tires near Clearfield? Use our tire finder to search for tires that fit your model’s specifications! Don’t forget to check our rotating service and parts specials, too, as we often have tire coupons to help you save. With any other questions about vehicle service, feel free to contact us, and a friendly advisor will respond promptly.