Penny tread depth

One of the simplest, most common ways to check tread depth requires nothing more than a penny and a few moments of your time. In the United States, tire tread depth is measured in 32nds of an inch. Place a penny into several tread grooves across the tire.

To check your tread depth, you don’t need any fancy tools or expert knowledge. Grab a penny, and you have everything you need! Place your penny into a tread groove upside down. In other words, your penny should be going into the tread headfirst! Examine the part of the penny that’s showing.

If you always see the top of Lincoln’s hea your treads are shallow and worn. If this is the case, your tires need to be replaced. Tire Tech: Measuring Tire Tread Depth with a Coin U. There are several popular ways to check your tire tread depth.

One easy way is the penny test. Tires with low treads make hydroplaning on rain-soaked roads more likely and significantly reduce traction in snow. Penny test for tires – how to measure tread depth. You may have heard of the penny test for tire tread depth and wondered if it’s something a layperson can manage, and a reliable test and indication of tire tread depth. Perform the penny test by placing the penny into the tread groove with Abraham Lincoln’s head facing down.

If you can see all of Lincolns’ hea the tires are completely worn out. The penny test is an easy and accurate way to measure tire tread depth. Take a penny and place it between the tire tread blocks with Lincoln’s head upside down and facing you.

A tire tread depth chart displays information on the minimum tread allowed on usable tires. The charts are available online from companies such as Tire Information Center, which has information relating to anything that is tire specific, such as tread depth and rotations.

A penny test will tell you when your tires are bal but if you’re headed into winter or a rainy season, a tread depth gauge is the surest way to test. Or stop by your local tire shop to have a professional evaluate your tires. At this tread depth , both dry and wet traction are greatly reduced. While a tire tread depth gauge is the best way to get an accurate measurement of remaining tread , a U. Lincoln penny can also be used to quickly approximate whether a tire needs to be replaced. Dishonest Abe: Why You Shouldn ’t Use the Penny Test to Check Tire Tread Depth.

Despite the safety and driving improvements that driving on higher tread depth brings, the age-old “ penny. If you don’t have a tread depth gauge handy, some U. Instructions on how to properly check tire tread depth can be. Tread depth is the vertical measurement between the top of the tread rubber to the bottom of the tire’s deepest grooves. It is measured in 32nds of an inch.

How to Read Tire Tread Depth Tire tread depth refers to the grooves between the main blocks on the contact surface of a tire. The easiest way to check tire depth is to take a penny and stick it between the tread with Lincoln’s head first. If the tread covers any part of Lincoln’s hea you should be good for the season.

Checking tire tread with a penny is one of the oldest and most reliable techniques for measuring tread depth. It will tell you if the tread is too low and needs to be replaced. Place a quarter into several tread grooves across the tire.

When the tread is flush with the treadwear indicator bars, it’s time to replace them. You also can insert a penny into the tire tread —with Lincoln’s head upside down. Use a penny to measure between the tread by placing Lincoln on his head. Ways to Check Used Tires Tread Depth. Stick a penny in the tire tread grooves.

How Do You Measure Tread Depth on Your Tires? When your tires don’t have enough tread depth , you’re at greater risk of hydroplaning, punctures and reduced traction. Fortunately, measuring tread depth regularly is a simple and surefire way to help ensure your tires will stick to the road and keep you safe. Tread Depth and Tire Safety Your safety on the road rides on regular tire maintenance - literally.

At MPH, balding tires can increase average stopping distance by 1feet on wet roads. So how does one check tire tread depth ? Well there is a simple way called the penny test. Remember, using the Penny Test to check your tire tread depth is only a guide. It will help give you an idea of when you should bring your car into an auto shop to check the tires and replace them. That is, of course, unless you are an awesome DIY mechanic type.

Choose Bridgestone tires for highway cruising, fuel efficiency, off-road handling, and even run-flat capabilities. Please tell us what you drive so we can show tires that fit your vehicle. While finding a penny may not actually be a harbinger of good luck, a penny is indeed an effective tool to measure your tire tread depth.

And importantly, the penny measurement allows you to determine with some certainty if you’ve reached minimum tread and it’s time to replace your tires.

It’s an easy way to check your tire tread to determine if it’s time for new tires. Learn the Penny Test from Pep Boys.