How to Check Tire Tread Depth

If you’re wondering, “How do I check tire tread wear?”, you’re in the right place. Stingray Chevrolet is here to walk Lakeland drivers through everything they need to know when it comes to checking tire tread depth. All you need is a ruler or penny. If you find that your tires are worn thin, explore our service specials and get in touch with our service department in Plant Cityl 

What is the Recommended Tire Tread Depth?

A fresh tire should either have a depth of 10/32 or 11/32 of an inch.That said, Valrico drivers should bear in mind that winter and off-road tires may have deeper grooves. Once your tire hits 2/32of an inch, it’s time for replacement, but how do you check tire tread wear? Let’s take a look. 

Performing The Penny Test 

The first step of how to check tire tread is to grab a ruler. If you don’t have a ruler on hand, grab a penny. Using a penny is a simple and fun way to measure your treads. Simply follow these steps: 

1. Take the penny and insert into the tire tread groove with Lincoln head-first. 
2. If Lincoln’s head is even partially submerged, you still have some tread on your tire.
3. If you can see all of Lincoln’s head, it’s time to replace your tire. 

If you don’t have a penny on hand, no worries. There are plenty of other ways to check tire tread wear. For instance, most tires come with tire tread wear bars, and if your depth recedes past 2/32 inches, the bars will surface. Simply inspect your tire treads to see if the bars are exposed. Otherwise, you can use a tread depth gauge, which you can purchase from our parts department! 

Have More Questions About How to Check Tire Tread Depth? 

If you have any lingering concerns about our answer to the question, “How do I check tire tread depth?”, call us at (813) 708-5339. We’ll walk Brandon drivers through any of stumbling block of this process. We can also help with tire replacement or any other fundamentals of tire care, like how often to your rotate tires! We look forward to helping you stay safe on the roads of Valrico!