How to Check Tire Tread

When you’re driving your family in around Jackson and Ridgeland, you want to ensure that you’re as safe as possible. If you’re wondering whether you should rotate your tires or get a new set, you’ll need to first assess the wear on your tires. Do you know how to check tire tread? It’s easy to check tire tread with a penny! The service department at Wilson KIA.

What’s a Safe New Tire Tread Depth?

First, it’s important to understand your specific tire needs, especially if you live in a colder climate or have opted for custom wheels. Beyond any unusual ranges and circumstances, though, your new tire tread depth ranges from about 10/32 to 11/32 of an inch. Deeper tread grooves are typically available in colder areas, though that’s not likely an issue on your drives around Brandon.

According to experts at the U.S. Department of Transportation, you need to replace your tires if the new tire tread depth has decreased to 2/32 of an inch or less. It’s worth noting that your Kia will perform better in terms of fuel economy and maneuverability with proper tread depth, when you know how to check tire tread yourself, you ensure that you stay safe on your everyday drives.

How to Check Tire Tread with a Penny

Have you heard the phrase, “if you can see Lincoln’s head–you’re dead?” That’s part of how to check tire tread with a penny! It’s simple:

1. Place the penny in between a groove on the tire with Lincoln’s head facing down.
2. If you can see all of Lincoln’s face, the tire treads measure 2/32 inches deep or less and it’s time to schedule a tire replacement.
3. Do this for each tire, and be sure to check different areas on the tires.

Other Ways to Ensure Tire Performance

There are plenty of other ways to make sure you’re getting the most of your tires. While you don’t necessarily need a tire tread depth gauge, you can still purchase one if you’d like additional peace of mind.

Also, keep in mind that your tires may have tread wear bars that indicate when a tire reaches the 2/32 minimum depth. You can also use these to check your tire variance, which is a way of understanding the expected difference in wear on your tires. That can be helpful even when you’re driving with new tire tread depth. Additional ways to keep your tires healthy include:

• Tire pressure checks
• Inspections for any visible damage
• Inspections for any tire rot or disintegration
• Tire alignment
• Tire rotation

Explore our service specials to make sure your tires are kept road-ready at an affordable price!

Keep Your Tires in Their Best Shape at Wilson KIA!

Now that you’ve learned how you can stay safe in your new Kia by learning how to check tire tread depth, it’s time to see how we can get you outfitted with a new set of tires. Contact us today to see how we can help you get the tires you need at a competitive price, or schedule an appointment online with us.

Want to learn more? Read up on the difference between wheel alignment and balancing today.