tread depth question

tacosupreme54 · Nov 30, 2010

at what tread depth should a tire be changed? i know that most people eyeball it, use the penny to gauge it, or when they start to look "bald." but do any of you actually use a specific depth to decide to get new tires? if so, about how much is that depth? is there an actual recommended depth to go by? or do you use anything else to tell when you need a new set of tires?

i know that some people really will drive on a set of tires till they are actually "bald." but some people get new ones when they still have half the life in them.

Leech · Nov 30, 2010

Look in between the tread lines. the stock tires on my 09 Tacoma (and I'm sure many others) had "wear bumps" in that groove. It is meant to be changed when the tread becomes even with the top of that wear line.
I'm sure if you head in to your local tire store and describe them they can show you an example or point them out on yours.

That or go get a tread measuring tool. Isn't it at a 2 that you start thinking about replacement?

HondaGM · Nov 30, 2010

3/32nds

tacosupreme54 · Nov 30, 2010

Leech said: ↑

Look in between the tread lines. the stock tires on my 09 Tacoma (and I'm sure many others) had "wear bumps" in that groove. It is meant to be changed when the tread becomes even with the top of that wear line.
I'm sure if you head in to your local tire store and describe them they can show you an example or point them out on yours.

That or go get a tread measuring tool. Isn't it at a 2 that you start thinking about replacement?
Click to expand...

oh, ok. and mine are nowhere near needing replacement. they are all at 15/32 and come new at either 18/32 or 19/32. so i have plenty of life in them, i was just asking so i'll know later on when i get them wore down more. about how many more miles does 15/32 of a goodyear duratrac give me?

tacosupreme54 · Nov 30, 2010

HondaGM said: ↑

3/32nds
Click to expand...

thanks man

TorenApart · Nov 30, 2010

FWIW, the wear bar between the tread is 2/32.

My tire guy said he changes his at 4/32. So I do as well...

TorenApart · Dec 1, 2010

I found this info on TireRack.com and thought other may find it useful when trying to decide if new tires are needed for this winter.

Source: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=51

TireRack.com said: ↑

Measuring Tire Tread Depth with a Coin

U.S. 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.

2/32" 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.

4/32" remaining tread depth
Place a quarter into several tread grooves across the tire. If part of Washington's head is always covered by the tread, you have more than 4/32" of tread depth remaining.

6/32" remaining tread depth
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 lease 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.
Click to expand...

My apologies if this is a repost!

tacosupreme54 · Dec 1, 2010

TorenApart said: ↑

I found this info on TireRack.com and thought other may find it useful when trying to decide if new tires are needed for this winter.

Source: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=51

My apologies if this is a repost!
Click to expand...

good piece of information! thanks man

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