How to Check Tire Tread Depth

Aside from oil changes and checking the oil level in your car, looking over the tires regularly is one of the most important things you can do to help keep your car in great condition in Altoona. As such, you’ll need to know how to check tire tread depth once a month for the best results in between tire rotation appointments at Stuckey Ford. If you’re asking yourself, “How do I check tire tread wear?” Stuckey Ford has your guide here! Keep reading to find out more from our service team.

Why Is Tire Tread Depth Important?

You need to know how to check tire tread depth because tire treads grip the road as you drive in State College, helping you remain in control of your vehicle. Tire treads help shunt water away from your tire, giving you better traction on slick pavement. Over time, your tire tread depth will gradually decrease because of natural wear due to friction with the road. If your tire tread depth isn’t deep enough, this could put you in a precarious situation, especially during inclement weather conditions when roads are slippery. That’s why having good traction is vital; it’s a safety factor in your driving.

What Is the Recommended Tire Tread Depth? 

So, how do you check tire tread wear? First, you need to know what the recommended tire tread depth is. New tires typically 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 and SUV tires have deeper tread grooves for better handling and higher weight ratings.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, you should replace your tires when their tread depth reaches 2/32 of an inch. If you see this on your Pittsburgh journeys, we encourage you to bring your vehicle in for new tires! We probably have your size in stock. 

How to Check Tire Tread Depth: The Penny Test

A ruler is the most accurate way to measure tire tread depth. However, the design of the U.S. penny makes an excellent substitute! Follow these steps on how to check the tire tread depth:

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 to Check Tire Tread Depth: Other Methods

If you don’t have a penny or a ruler with you, you can utilize a couple of other methods to check your tire tread depth: 

• Tread Depth Gauge: Purchase a tread depth gauge from any Hollidaysburg-area auto parts store. Insert the probe into the shallowest tread groove on the tire. Press the top bar of the gauge flat against the tire to see the tread wear rating. You’ll know for sure if you need new tires.
• Tread Wear Bars: Most tires have tread wear indicator bars built into them. They are colored lines that will stand out when your tire gets very worn. You’ll see them at the bottom of the tread grooves in multiple locations across the tires. If the colored bars are flush with the surrounding tire ribs, this means that the tread depth has reached 2/32 of an inch or lower.

Schedule Your Tire Service at Stuckey Ford

Stuckey Ford specializes in servicing your Ford, and we’ll help keep your vehicle in great shape. If you need the best tires for a Ford F-150 or any other tire service, contact us, call 582-207-2004, or schedule a service appointment with our team. We’re happy to help in any way we can!