How Do You Use A Penny To Check Tire Tread
You can use various techniques to check the tread on your tires to determine whether they need to be replaced. A tire with severely worn tread will not function as intended and may create hazardous driving conditions.
One of the most accessible and frequent methods to verify tread depth only costs a penny and a few seconds of your time.
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The Penny Test
Tire tread depth is measured in 32nds of an inch in the US. 10/32″ or 11/32″ tread thicknesses are standard for new tires, and several trucks, SUVs, and winter tires may have greater tread depths than some other types.
When tires are 2/32″ deep, the U.S. Department of Transportation advises replacing them, and several states have laws requiring this replacement.
The purpose of the penny test is to determine if you have crossed the 2/32″ line. This is how it goes:
- Put a penny in the space between your tire’s tread ribs. The raised area of tread around the circle of your tire is referred to as a “rib.” There are multiple ribs in a tire’s tread.
- Lincoln’s head should be pointing into the tread as you rotate the penny.
- Check to see if his head’s crown vanishes between his ribs. If it does, your tread is still deeper than 2/32″, but if you can see the top of his head, it may be time to change the tire because it is no longer deep enough.
- Don’t forget to check the areas surrounding each tire as well when carrying out the penny tire test. Pay close attention to the places that appear to be most worn.
- When any portions fail the penny test, you should replace the tire even if some of your treads are deeper than 2/32″.
While uniform tread wear throughout the entire tire is normal, uneven tread wear could indicate incorrect inflation, wheel misalignment, or several other issues. Have a mechanic look at your car if you see inconsistent tread wear.
There are also other ways that you can check your tire tread:
Tread Wear Indicator Bars
Your tires themselves are already a further sign of worn wear. Every performance, light truck, or medium commercial tire has indicator bars (also known as wear bars), which are 2/32″ deep and inserted between the tread ribs.
They are available to support your decision-making regarding tire replacement and tread depth monitoring. Simply check to see if the tread and indication bars are flush. If so, the tire needs to be changed.
How Can I Measure the Tread Depth Gauge of My Car
Using a tread depth gauge is a quick and an easy technique to determine the depth of your tires’ tread. Tire tread depth meters are available at your neighborhood auto parts store.
Although numerous kinds are available, a cheap, straightforward graduated probe gauge will do just fine. Simply insert the probe into a tread groove, flatten the probe’s sides on the tread block, and read the outcome. All gauges should read in millimeters and 32nds of an inch.
Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]
How can I stop my tire from wearing up fast?
To ensure your tire lasts long, inflate it after every 6,000 miles.
Why should I check my tire tread depth?
Your car can grip the road if the tires have enough tread depth. This makes it slide and slippery posing a risk to you and other road users.
Can I use a quarter to test my tire?
Yes, simply slip a quarter into your tread groove. If the tread touches the wall treads,it means that you have 4/32 inches of tread left.
Why is it safe to drive with worn-out tires?
Worn out tires will make your automobile a slick mess. According to Consumer Reports, road traction is reduced by worn tires. Serious safety risks like an elevated danger of hydroplaning and sliding on wet or frost roads can result from this extreme wear. You’ll also notice that stopping distances are longer than usual.
How can I make my tires last longer?
Taking your automobile to a mechanic for routine wheel balancing, alignment, and tire rotation services is one approach to getting the most out of your tires. You might need to buy new tires sooner than you anticipated because your car’s tires don’t always wear evenly.
Wrap Up!
To get your spare coins, dig into your pocket. Try the penny test to determine if it’s time to change your tires; it just takes a couple of minutes.
