January 12, 2015
Measuring Tire Tread Depth with a Coin
Measuring Tire Tread Depth with a Coin . coins can be substituted for a tire
tread depth gauge as tires wear to the critical final few 32nds of an inch of
their remaining tread depth. Place a penny into several tread grooves across the
tire. If part of Lincoln's head is always covered by the tread, you have more
than 2/32" of tread depth remaining. Place a quarter into several tread grooves
across the tire autel
maxidiag elite md802. If part of Washington's head is always covered by the
tread, you have more than 4/32" of tread depth remaining. Place a penny into
several tread grooves across the tire. If the top of the Lincoln Memorial is
always covered by the tread, you have more than 6/32" of tread depth remaining.
Once you have determined the approximate remaining tread depth in the first
location, you can complete your measurement of each tire by placing the coin
into additional locations at least 15 inches apart around the tire's central
circumferential groove, as well as in its inner and outer grooves. This will
help detect uneven wear caused by mechanical or service conditions. The Law
According to most states' laws, tires are legally worn out when they have worn
down to 2/32" of remaining tread depth. To help warn drivers that their tires
have reached that point, tires sold in North America are required to have
indicators molded into their tread design called "wear bars" which run across
their tread pattern from their outside shoulder to inside shoulder. Wear bars
are designed to visually connect the elements of the tire's tread pattern and
warn drivers when their tires no longer meet minimum tread depth requirements.
Common Sense However, as a tire wears it's important to realize that the tire's
ability to perform in rain and snow will be reduced. With 2/32" of remaining
tread depth, resistance to hydroplaning in the rain at highway speeds has been
significantly reduced, and traction in snow has been virtually eliminated. If
rain and wet roads are a concern, you should consider replacing your tires when
they reach approximately 4/32" of remaining tread depth. Since water can't be
compressed, you need enough tread depth to allow rain to escape through the
tire's grooves. If the water can't escape fast enough, your vehicle's tires will
be forced to hydroplane (float) on top of the water, losing traction. If
snow-covered roads are a concern, you should consider replacing your tires when
they reach approximately 6/32" of remaining tread depth to maintain good
mobility. You need more tread depth in snow because your tires need to compress
the snow in their grooves and release it as they roll. If there isn't sufficient
tread depth, the "bites" of snow your tires can take on each revolution will be
reduced to "nibbles," and your vehicle's traction and mobility will be
sacrificed. Because tread depth is such an important element for snow traction,
winter tires usually start with noticeably deeper tread depths than typical
All-Season or summer tires. Some winter tires even have a second series of "wear
bars" molded in their tread pattern indicating approximately 6/32" remaining
tread depth to warn you when your tires no longer meet the desired tread depth maxidiag
elite md802.
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