Being incredibly useful when it comes to assessing the condition of your tires in regard to wear, are tire wear bars, also known as tread wear indicator bars. When you need new tires and if your current tires meet the legal tire tread depth requirements, they are one factor that will help you assess. Whether or not you’ve got a safe tread depth, curious about what wear bars are, or just want to learn a few quick ways to measure tire tread wear, we at Top Notch Mobile Tire would like to offer some basics.
What Depth are Tire Wear Bars?
Raised bars found within the grooves of your tires between the tread markings, tread wear indicator bars are small. Tire wear bars sit at 2/32″ of tread depth. Being worn down, they are placed all around the tire at different points to measure how evenly your tread.
Purpose of Treadwear Indicator Tire Wear Bars
To offer a visual indication of how much tread is left on your tires is the purpose of wear bars. Also, to help provide better traction and handling, and improve cornering, the tire tread helps stabilize your car in wet conditions. You may find yourself spinning out of control without it. It is important to keep an eye on your tires’ wear bars. It’s time to replace your tires when the tread has worn down to the level of the wear bars. You’ve reached the legal tire tread depth limit, and your tires are no longer safe to use. To help keep you safer on the road, most manufacturers may suggest replacing tires sooner. In order to run your finger horizontally over the tire wear bars is one way to check the condition of your tread. It is time for new tires if you feel the wear bar against your finger as evenly as the tread.
What are Ways to Check the Tire Tread Depth?
Below are a few other ways you can check the tread on your tires if you’re having trouble spotting a wear bar on your tire or you’re unsure of what to look for.
– Penny Test. This test is fairly simple. With Lincoln’s head upside down, place a penny and hold it. In one of the grooves between the tread, place the penny. Your tread has worn down at or below 1/16 of an inch and should be replaced if Lincoln’s entire head is visible. Your tires may still have some tread left if the top of his head is partially covered. It is a good idea to leave a little extra tread on your tires for safety if you frequently drive in wet conditions due to where you live or work. You may have to replace your tires a little more often, it is worth it if it means avoiding an accident. You can check your tread level using a quarter instead of a penny in this instance.
Tread Depth Gauge. You can use a tread depth gauge if you want to get really precise with your tread measurements. For a few bucks at most automotive stores, these gadgets are readily available. You can use a ruler with 1/16th inch markings or millimeter measurements alternatively. From the base of the tread to its current level, place the ruler into one of the grooves and measure. Any tire that measures at or below 1/16 of an inch, 1/16 inch is about 1.6 millimeters, should be replaced.
Tire Services in Dallas, Texas (Just Minutes Away from Addison, Balch Springs, Carrollton, Cedar Hill, Coppell, DeSoto, Duncanville, Farmers Branch, Ferris, Garland, Grand Prairie, Grapevine, Irving, Lancaster, Lewisville, Mesquite, Ovilla, Richardson, Rowlett, Sachse, Seagoville, Sunnyvale & Wylie, TX)
If your tires are looking worn, call Top Notch Mobile Tire and let our professionals come to your location and replace your tires.
