Tire-Expert.com

Tire-Expert.com

Welcome to Tire-Expert.com. This is a valuable resource for information on tires, like tire safety. We do not sell tires, and we are not sponsored by any tire reseller or maker. Our opinions are unbiased.

Tread Life

The #1 question I get asked about tires, is How do I know when to replace my tires? The answer can be found with a penny.

The legal requirement for the minimum tread depth is 2/32", which is the distance from the top of Lincoln's head to the edge of an american penny. So take a penny, turn it upside down, stick it in the groove of your tire, and if your tread doesn't cover Lincoln's head, it's time to get new tires.

Many tires do have a wear bar in the grooves of the tire, and if the tread is worn down to the same hieght as that wear bar, your tires are too bald to be safe and need replacing.

If you drive in areas where it rains, and the roads are wet, you probably want more than the legal minimum. A tread depth of 4/32" is a lot safer, and gives the water room to move into the grooves, giving you handling and control without hydroplanning.

Should you expect to drive on snow covered roads, consider having more tread on your tires, like 6/32"

Read More on Tire Maintenance

• Tire Ratings and Sizes
• Proper Tire Inflation/Pressure
• How much tread depth do I need?