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Tire tread gauges


How to Check Tire Tread Depth?

Written by Steven Schiller

Fact checked by Henry Speciale

A tire tread is composed of ribs or grooves throughout the circumference of the tire. This raised portion of the tread expels water making the vehicle safe to drive under difficult weather conditions such as rain and snow.

However, when the tire tread wears down, it loses traction on the road and forces the braking and steering system to work harder especially on wet conditions. It becomes unsafe to drive when the tire tread depth reaches 2/32 inches.

But, how to check tire tread depth? Tire tread depth can be measured using a penny, a quarter, a tire tread wear indicator, or a tire tread depth gauge.

Table of Contents

  • Ways to Check Tire Tread Depth
    • 1. With a Penny
    • 2. With a Quarter
    • 3. With A Tire Tread Wear Indicator
    • 4. With A Tire Tread Depth Gauge
  • Detailed Steps for Each Way
    • The Penny Test
    • The Quarter Test
    • Tire Tread Wear Indicator
    • Tire Tread Depth Gauge
  • When is the Best Time to Check Tire Tread Depth?
  • Conclusion

Ways to Check Tire Tread Depth

1. With a Penny

In the US, you can measure tread depth on a tire using a penny.

Insert the penny to the tire groove with Abraham Lincoln’s head going in first.

  • If you can see all of Lincoln’s head, it means that the tire’s tread depth is below 2/32 inches.
  • If you have the same result when you check several grooves of the tire, tire replacement is inevitable.
  • If a small part of Lincoln’s head hides in the groove, it is safe to assume that your tire’s remaining tread is 4/32 inches.

Some recommend replacing tires as early as this tire tread depth measurement because of diminished vehicle performance. The tires may not survive harsh driving conditions.

2. With a Quarter

Another way to check the tread on your tires is using a quarter test.

In this test tread on tires, the tire’s tread depth is measured using George Washington’s head.

  • The tires are safer to drive if Washington’s head was covered entirely or not visible when placed in between tread grooves. This is typical with new tires having 10/32 to 11/32 inches or 8 to 9 millimeters.
  • If Washington’s head touches the rib of the tire when you insert it facing down (visible to you), the tires are still safe with 4/32 inches tread left.
  • If the quarter shows Washington’s head clearly, the tire tread depth is less than 2/32 inches. This calls for immediate tire replacement.

Conducting a penny test or checking tire tread with a gauge can reassure you that you measure tire tread correctly.

3. With A Tire Tread Wear Indicator

You can also check wear on tires without any tools because tires have a built-in tire tread indicator or wear gauge.

They can be seen as six bars throughout the tread ribs. The bar becomes visible as it reaches the minimum legal tread depth of 2/32 inches or 1.6 millimeters.

Some tires were designed with different grades of bar, such as 8/32, 6/32, 4/32, and 2/32. So check all the tread grooves to make sure it follows the tire wear indicator chart.

The tire tread depth of brand new tires of pickup trucks or large vehicles is around 15/32 to 20/32 inches.

4. With A Tire Tread Depth Gauge

If you would like to get a precise tire tread depth measurement, use tire tread depth gauge.

Of course, this tool cannot measure a bald or totally worn-out tread.

Look for the lowest tread depth. Insert the gauge pin into the groove, then press it towards the tread. This tool provides exact readings in inches and millimeters. They can be purchased in automotive shops for around $4.

What to prepare: Penny, Quarter, Tire Tread Indicator or Tread Depth Gauge

  • Penny – a quick coin test used to check if the tire tread depth is on the 2/32 inches threshold.
  • Quarter- another coin test that can tell if the tires are in good shape at 4/32 inches.
  • Tire Tread Indicator refer to the rubber notches that are raised to 2/32 inches. When the indicators are flushed, it means the tires are worn out to an unsafe level.
  • Tread Depth Gauge provides the most accurate tire tread depth measurement.

Detailed Steps for Each Way

The Penny Test

  • Grab a penny. Use Abraham Lincoln’s side.
  • Turn the coin upside down with Lincoln’s head pointed towards the tread groove.
  • Thrust the penny in between the tread of the tire.
  • Check if Lincoln’s head is visible. If it is, the tires are unsafe to use because the tread is shallow than the minimum tread depth.

If a part of Lincoln’s head disappears in the groove, the tread is still above 2/32 inches.

  • Do this test throughout the tire. Check various places, especially the areas that look worn out.

The Quarter Test

  • Get a quarter. Use George Washington’s side.
  • Insert the quarter with Washington’s head thrusted towards the ribs of the tire.
  • If you can see Washington’s head, the tires need replacement.

If the tread covers Washington’s head, the tires are safe to use at 4/32 inches deep.

  • Conduct this test in multiple areas in the tire. Pay attention to areas that are visibly worn out.

Tire Tread Wear Indicator

  • Look for the initials TWI (Tread Wear Indicator) on the shoulder of the tread.
  • Right across that point, you’ll find the tread wear indicators or bars at the bottom of the tread.
  • If the tread is flushed or exposed the same level as the wear bars, they are considered unsafe or worn out.
  • Some tires have numbers at the center of the tread rib that indicate the tread depth in millimeters. As the tire wears down, these numbers fade. The visible number when you check the tire indicates the tread left.

Tire Tread Depth Gauge

  • Check the measuring scale you are going to use (inches or millimeters).
  • Place the tire tread depth gauge on top of a groove of the tire.
  • Push the gauge.
  • Rotate the scale until you find a number with a line below it.
  • The first number that appears is the tire tread depth measurement.

When is the Best Time to Check Tire Tread Depth?

In general, tire tread depth should be checked every 3,000 miles or 5,000 km. It is also recommended to check the tread on tires seasonally or during changing of winter or summer tires.

Conclusion

Keeping a close check on your tire’s health is possible if you know how to check tire tread depth.

You can measure the tire tread depth with or without a gauge. The coin tests are helpful in providing an estimate of tire tread depth. However, if you would like to prevent vehicle accidents, the best way to check tread on tires is by using tire tread depth gauge.

The standard minimum tire tread depth is 2/32 inches but it is safer to plan tire replacement as soon as they approach 4/32 inches deep.

If you would like to know more about hydroplaning, feel free to share your thoughts.

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A Few Words From the Author

I'm Henry, the content writer for PPMC Transport. We build our site entirely on experience and extensive market and customer research. My goal is to create a trusted platform where people can go to determine what is best for their vehicles in terms of safety and convenience. Keep an eye out for our useful guide!

- Speciale Henry

VH666 - TECH TIRE TREAD DEPTH GAUGE

VH666 - TECH TIRE TREAD DEPTH GAUGE

Item Number: VH666

  • TECH’s tread depth gauge helps you assess tread depth easily and quickly
  • Calibrated with both Standard and Metric markings

Price is per EA: 

$3. 05

TECH TIRE TREAD DEPTH GAUGE quantity

Weight: 0.01 lbs

Item
Number 		Unit of
Measure 		Box
Quantity 		Shelf
Life
VH666EA1N/A✔✔

Commonly used with: SAFETY GLASSES- CLEAR, AX360 FLEX GRIP GLOVE (X-LG), TECH 24″ PREMIUM SHOP BROOM, PACK OF 2

TECH's tread depth gauge helps you assess tread depth easily and quickly
Calibrated with both Standard and Metric markings

UPC: 743813161352

TREAD DEPTH GAUGE

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Tire pressure sensors


  • General information
    Modern tire pressure monitoring systems also measure the air temperature in the tires. This allows you to detect the problem in time and avoid overheating of the wheel, which can cause a serious accident.

    Depending on the installation location, the sensors are divided into the following types:

    • internal, which are installed inside the tire - on the nipple nipple or on the disc rim;
    • external, which are installed (screwed) outside the tire on the nipple nipple and, as a rule, are equipped with a special anti-removable "secret lock" /

    Sensors can be connected to the instrument panel in the driver's cab, as well as to the Vehicle Monitoring System.

  • Situation analysis
    According to studies by foreign experts, each year in the US alone, more than 20% of the total number of vehicle accidents (about 15,000 cases) occurred due to low or insufficient tire pressure. The introduction in 2006 of a law on the mandatory equipping of vehicles weighing over 3.5 tons with tire pressure monitoring systems made it possible to reduce the number of such accidents by more than 2 times at once.

    Thanks to these measures, most transport companies have managed to significantly reduce fuel costs and increase the "life" of the tire tread.

    A team of specialists randomly measured the tire pressure levels of more than 3,000 vehicles and received the following data:

  • 8% reduced pressure more than 1.4 bar
  • 3% overpressure over 0.7 bar

    In general, we get the following conclusions:
  • Tire wear rate increases by 30% when the pressure level is lower than the nominal pressure by more than 1. 4 bar from the standard value
  • A 10% pressure drop reduces tire life by 11%, while a 30% pressure drop reduces tire life by 40%.

  • Tire pressure monitoring can be installed on any vehicle


  • Tire sensors
    If the vehicle is more than 8 meters long and has more than 6 wheels, it is recommended to use a repeater – “Booster”, for a more stable connection between the monitor and the sensors.


    • Standard Tire Pressure Monitor
    A dashboard is installed in the driver's cab that receives information from tire sensors.


      The instrument panel displays:
    • current tire pressures;
    • low tire pressure warning signal.

  • Data display in the Monitoring System.
    The tire pressure monitoring option is now available to users of our vehicle tracking system. The pressure control panel is connected to a GLONASS tracker installed in a car or special equipment. The data is available in real time and in the archive of the System.



  • Implementation cost
    The average cost of a tire pressure and temperature monitoring system is equal to the cost of two truck wheels. Call us and we will find the best solution for your vehicles and special equipment.

    • Actuality: 04/13/2018

    Installation for 3D tire scanning "SIL" - NPP Prizma

    Home / SIL - 3D scanning of car tires

    SIL - 3D tire scanning conveyor

    The unit is designed for use at tire manufacturers for final control of the geometric characteristics of products.

    The unit is designed to scan products in the process of continuous production, providing continuous control on the quality control line.

    The system does not require human intervention: completely autonomous, automatically recognizes the presence of a wheel and performs a scan.

    Automatically scans more than 2000 tires per day.

    The unit is fully mechanically and software compatible with the most common system in Russia for measuring the power inhomogeneity of tires SIL-800 and its modifications.

    The use of sensors of our own production allows you to minimize the implementation time and cost, and also allows you to quickly design and manufacture sensors for a specific task.

    Installation cost is much lower than foreign analogues.

    Implementation period - from 2 months. Integration into other production lines is possible.

    Characteristics
    Measurement method
    Measuring principle

    Force measurement method - 3D scanning of car tires

    The unit allows for a complete analysis of the geometric characteristics based on 3D scanning of the tire surface: