How to Check Tire Tread Depth On Your Vehicle

Not sure why tire tread depth is important? Wondering, “How do I check tire tread wear?” Here at Midway Auto Dealerships, we’ve got you covered.

During your Kearney drives, your tire treads grip the road to help you maintain traction. However, your tire tread depth will gradually wear down over time, decreasing the amount of grip you have on the road. After a certain point, your low tire tread depth can put you and your fellow drivers in danger. If you want to learn how to check tire tread depth, our service technicians are here to help! Find out how to use a ruler or penny to check your tire’s tread depth below. If you find that you need more extensive maintenance on your Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram vehicle’s tires, feel free to schedule a service appointment now!

Recommended Tire Tread Depth

A fresh set of tires generally has a tread depth of roughly 10/32 to 11/32 of an inch (about a third of an inch). However, winter tires, off-road tires, and some truck tires have deeper tread grooves. The U.S. Department of Transportation recommends replacing your tires when their tread depth reaches 2/32 of an inch. Learning how to check tire tread depth to maintain safe Grand Island-area driving.

How to Check Tire Tread Depth Using the Penny Test

There’s no doubt that a ruler is the best way to accurately measure tire tread depth. Nevertheless, a penny will work as a substitute! The design of the U.S. penny makes it an optimal and readily available tool for measuring tire wear. Follow the steps outlined below to learn how to check tire tread depth on your car, truck, or SUV with a penny:

1. Insert the Coin: Insert the penny with Lincoln head-first into a tire tread groove.
2. Is Lincoln’s Head Covered?: Check if Lincoln’s head is covered and no longer visible between the grooves.
3. Check to See If Tire Tread Depth is 2/32 Inches: 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 for Each Tire: Repeat this process on all four tires and in multiple locations on each tire.

Maintain Your Tires with Midway Auto Dealerships Today!

Now that you know how to check tire tread depth on your vehicle, you can keep your tires in optimal shape and your passengers safe on Kearney roads. If you feel that you’re in need of replacement tires, your best move is to contact us online to set up a time to visit our auto center today. Our Parts Department is well stocked with spare tires and our service specials will keep your maintenance costs affordable!