How Do I Check Tire Tread Wear?

Many customers come to our Wheeling-area service center asking “How do I check tire tread wear at home?” And luckily, the process is simple and quick – no matter your car skill level. You can learn how to check tire tread depth with a gauge, a ruler, or even a penny! Take a look at a few different methods of measuring your tire tread depth with Straub Nissan.

A brand new tire will come with around a third of an inch, or 10/32 to 11/32 of an inch to be more precise. If you’re dealing with off-road tires or winter tires, the tread depth may be even deeper. Once your tire tread depth gets down to 2/32 of an inch, the U.S. Department of Transportation recommends getting a new set of tires for safe travels in Steubenville.

You can pick up a tire tread gauge at our parts department near Moundsville or use a ruler from your desk, but one of the old tried-and-true methods just costs one cent! If you’ve got a penny, you can use this trick to check your tire tread easily.

• With Lincoln’s head upside down, insert a penny into the groove of your tires.
• If Lincoln’s head disappears, you have plenty of tread.
• If Lincoln’s face is fully visible, that indicates that you have 2/32 of an inch or less tread remaining.
• Repeat this process on all four tires and check multiple spots on each tire.

Now you know “How do I check tire tread wear?”, but what else should you keep in mind when assessing your tires?

• Check your tire pressure regularly to ensure that all four tires are inflated – and don’t forget your spare.
• Look carefully at the tread and sidewalls for any damage, disintegration, or tire rot.
• Make sure your tire tread wear looks even. If it looks uneven, you might need to schedule a service like a tire rotation or wheel alignment.

Learning how to check tire tread depth is just one part of the equation, so where do you go when your tires could use some TLC? Whether you need an alignment or a new set of tires, Straub Nissan is here to help. Contact us with any questions, and visit us in Triadelphia for all of your service needs.