When it comes to taking care of your vehicle, one of the most important things you can do is keep an eye on its tire tread depth. The tread on your tires is what enables your vehicle to maintain traction on the road, and without sufficient tread, your tires won't perform as they should.
What is Tire Tread Depth?
Tire tread depth refers to the depth of the grooves in the tire tread that help provide traction. New tires typically have a tread depth of around 10/32 of an inch (or 8mm), but this depth will gradually decline as the tire wears over time.
Why Does Tire Tread Depth Matter?
The amount of tread on your tires is critical for maintaining traction on the road, especially in wet or slippery conditions. When the tread depth becomes too shallow, your tires won't be able to grip the road as well, which can increase your stopping distance and make it harder to control your vehicle.
In addition to reducing your vehicle's performance, driving on tires with insufficient tread depth can also be dangerous. Tires with low tread depth are more likely to hydroplane in wet conditions, which can lead to loss of control and accidents.
How to Check Your Tire Tread Depth
Checking your tire tread depth is easy to do, and it's something you should do regularly. The simplest way to do this is to use a tread depth gauge, which you can purchase at most auto parts stores. Simply place the gauge into the grooves of your tire tread and take a reading. If the reading is less than 2/32 of an inch (or 1.6mm), it's time to replace your tires.
Another method to check tire tread depth is to perform the penny test. Place a penny into the tread with Lincoln's head facing down. If you can see the top of Lincoln's head, your tire tread is too shallow, and it's time to replace your tires.
Be sure to inspect your tire tread depth regularly and replace your tires when the tread depth gets too low. Taking care of your tires can help ensure a safer and more reliable driving experience. If you need assistance checking your tires, please call or visit Prestige Autohaus.