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Tire Tech: 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. Place a penny into several tread grooves across the tire. If part of Lincoln's head is always covered…
…tread depth is measured in 32nds of an inch. Because it is difficult to accurately measure tread depth with a ruler, tread depth is best measured with a tire tread depth gauge. When tires have neared the end of their life, a U.S. Lincoln penny can also be used to confirm the tire's tread depth. If…
…worn tires sacrifice, members of the Tire Rack team measured the stopping distances from 70 mph (the typical speed limit of U.S. Interstate highways) with vehicles equipped with sets of new tires and compared them to tires with about 4/32" (3mm) of remaining tread depth, followed by sets with the…
…= 4/32nds From the top of a penny to Lincoln's eye brow = 6/32nds These methods are not perfect, but will give you a good indication of where you stand. Check out these tread depth gauges, or visit your local installer for exact measurements. If your winter tires are not making the cut, get…
…area or where you're traveling to, consider replacing tires when they reach approximately 4/32" of remaining tread depth. Use a quarter, not a penny, to measure tread depth. Tire Rack's team proved through testing that insufficient tread depth doubles your stopping distance. Adequate tread reduces…
…with someone a few minutes ago regarding tread depth, and I remembered that Tire Rack has an interesting video regarding the subject. The video answers the question, "When should I replace my tires?" Most states set the legal limit at 2/32", or at the top of Lincoln's head on a penny.…
The "penny test" tread depth check doesn't hold water. Yes, U.S. coins can be substituted as a tire tread depth gauge to measure the critical, final few 32nds of an inch of remaining tread depth. Place a penny into several tread grooves across the tire. If part of Lincoln's head is always…
…car tires are molded to 10/32", and some specialty truck tires can be molded to as much as 16/32" tread depth or more. If measuring tire tread depth with a coin, here are some basic rules to remember as tires wear to the critical final few 32nds of an inch of their remaining tread depth.…
…but they're not always handy. At Tire Rack, we offer the Dill® Digital Tread Depth Gauge in our inventory of accessories. (Bonus! You can also use it to measure brake shoe and pad wear!) Another way to measure tread depth—use a coin! Place a penny or a quarter into several tread grooves…
…note that the tire's performance in rain and snow can be reduced before it no longer meets the minimum tread depth requirement. You can substitute a tire tread depth gauge with a U.S. coin to measure those critical few 32nds of an inch of remaining tread depth. When placing a penny into several…
…tread depth indicates a need to replace tires, should you buy tires even if part of Lincoln's head is covered when using a penny to measure your tire's tread depth? Take a look at "Measuring Tire Tread Depth with a Coin" to see how U.S. coins can be used in place of a tire tread depth…
…tread depth is measured in 32nds of an inch. Because it is difficult to accurately measure tread depth with a ruler, tread depth is best measured with a tire tread depth gauge. When tires have neared the end of their life, a U.S. Lincoln penny can also be used to confirm the tire's tread depth. If…
…here to measure 6/32" is best; but there are other ways to check depth. You may have heard of the Penny Test where you use the top of Lincoln's head on a penny to see if your tires are legally worn out (2/32"). If you flip the penny around and insert into various spots on the tire with Mr.…
…my tires? Simply use a tire gauge or pull some spare change from your pocket to find out. Place a quarter into the tread grooves of your tires and if part of Washington’s head is covered, you have more than 4/32” of tread depth remaining. With a penny to measure tread depth, place…
…Depths." If you drive an all-season tire in winter weather conditions (snow/ice), then tread depth is even more critical. The average all-season (M&S) tire will lose effectiveness in winter conditions below 6/32". You can also measure this tread depth with with a penny. Place a penny…
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