Let’s check that tread depth.
Time Needed: 5 Minutes, Difficulty: Beginner, Cost: Spare change
As the only part of your car that is actually intended to touch the road, it’s easy to see how essential your tyres are. Unfortunately, they don’t last forever. Over time, everyday driving wears away the rubber in your tyres, and at a certain point, they become unsafe to use. The legal limit for tyre tread depth is 1.6mm across the central 3/4 of the tyre. It is recommended to replace tyres before the tread depth approaches this minimum tread depth for safety and legal reasons. Different types of tyres wear at different speeds, though, so it’s essential to know how to check your tyre tread depth.
You don’t need tools or a shop to check your tyre tread. As long as you’ve got some loose change and a safe place to park your car for a moment, you’re good to go. We have had plenty of experience with tyres of all types and are here to help you get rolling safely.
How To Know When It’s Time To Replace Tyres
Unless you’re riding on a set of Mickey Thompson race slicks, your tyres have tread that helps them get traction and remain in contact with the road when it’s wet. In general, there should be at least 4/32 inches of tread depth for a tyre to be considered good to go. Driving on worn tyres can reduce grip, increase stopping distances, and heighten the risk of aquaplaning. If it’s less than that, it’s time to consider replacing the tyre. Driving with bald tyres can be incredibly dangerous, increase stopping distances, and lead to legal ramifications and invalidated insurance.
The Safety Brief
Follow these tips for a safety check.
Find a safe place to check your tyres. The side of the road or a busy parking lot are not the best options here.
Make sure your car is in the park and/or that the parking brake has been set. There’s nothing worse than the car rolling away while you’re trying to check the tyres.
If you’re unsure of what you’re looking at or if the tyre appears damaged, it’s best to take it to a shop for repair or inspection.
The Tools And Parts You Need
You won’t need a whole toolbox to check your tyre treads.
Quarter
Torch (optional)
Tread depth gauge
Tyre tread depth gauge
The Job: How To Check Tyre Tread
Follow these steps to check tyre tread depth for a quick and easy job.
To measure tyre tread depth, you can use a tread depth gauge, the 20p test, or check the wear bars within the tread grooves.
Inspect the tread grooves to ensure they are not below the legal limit for safe driving.
Put Vehicle In Park
Make sure the vehicle is parked safely and will not roll away while you inspect your tyres. If your vehicle has a manual transmission, set the parking brake for extra security.
Use Coin To Check
If you don’t have a tyre tread gauge, you can use a 20p coin for this job. Take the coin and insert it into the tyre tread with the queen’s head upright. The queen’s head will be your measuring tool. If the tyre tread reaches over the outer band, you’ve got at least 3mm of tread left. The legal tyre tread depth must meet or exceed the minimum depth across the central three-quarters of the tyre to comply with regulations. The minimum tyre tread depth required by law is 1.6mm. If you can see the top of his head, it’s time to replace the tyres.
Use Tyre Tread Wear Indicators
Most tyres have tread wear indicators moulded right into the tread. These indicators are small bars or raised areas, about 5mm wide, built into the base of the tyre’s main grooves. These indicators help assess tread depth and determine if the tyre tread is approaching the legal limit. When the tyre has worn enough for the wear indicator bar to be flush with the rest of the tread, it’s time to replace your tyres.
The Wee88 Questionnaire
The Wee88 answers all your burning questions!
Q: Do Tyres Have Expiration Dates or Minimum Legal Tread Depth?
A. Yes! Over time, the rubber compounds in tyres break down and dry out, leaving behind a tyre that is more brittle and prone to blowouts. In general, tyres have a usable life of about six years from the manufacture date. That’s why it’s important not to hop in a car that has been in storage for a while for a drive. It might run great, but the tyres could have expired while it sat.
Q: Does The Coin Test Work On All tyres?
A. If your tyres have tread, then it’s possible to check the tread with a coin. Off-road tyres and other types that have extremely robust tread, to begin with, may be difficult to gauge with a coin, but most other tyres can be checked with a 20p test
Q: Do I Need To Replace All Four Tyres?
A. If your vehicle is all-wheel drive, replacing all four tyres is recommended. Mismatched tyres or tread depths can cause uneven rotational speeds, which can lead to damage. If you’re replacing tyres on a front- or rear-wheel drive vehicle, it’s best to replace at least two at a time. No matter what, make sure each of your replacement tyres is the same type, size, and brand.
Q: Part of My Tire Tread Is Wearing Off Faster Than The Rest. What Can I Do?
A: If you see uneven tyre wear, one of a few things can be happening. Your vehicle may be out of alignment, which can easily be fixed by a shop. You may also have an over- or under-inflated tyre, which is also an easy fix. Other, more serious causes can include worn steering and suspension components, which will require diagnosis and repair by a professional.