How to Check Tire Tread Depth
The tire tread is the raised pattern separated by grooves on the tire section in contact with the ground. Tread wears down over time due to surface friction.
As the tread wears down, handling will become difficult, particularly in wet or muddy conditions, and your braking distances will increase. As your Porsche Center in the Silicon Valley, we want to tell you how to check tire tread to ensure driving safety.
How To Check Tire Tread
Multiple Ways To Check
There are four ways to check your tread, and we’re going to examine each of them. Whichever method is used, it’s important to test three grooves to gain an accurate view of a tire’s health. These are the center groove, the groove closest to your vehicle, and the groove furthest from your vehicle.
Wear indicator Bars
Wear indicator bars are raised rubber sections that run horizontally through the tread. When a tire is new, they’re almost impossible to see. As time passes and the tread wears down, they’ll become visible. You can run your finger in a straight line across the tread and the wear indicator. If the bar is below the tread, your tire is safe to drive on. If the bar and the tread are level, the tire is worn and needs replacement.
Lincoln Penny Test
Take a Lincoln penny, turn it upside down, and insert it into the deepest part of the tread. If you can see part of Lincoln’s face, your tread is still healthy. If you can see Lincoln’s head up to his hairline, the tread is worn, and the tire will need replacement fairly soon. If you see the top of Lincoln’s head, the tread is severely worn and should be replaced right away.
Tread Depth Gauge
A tread depth gauge is a specialized tool you insert into the tread. They are inexpensive and available in manual and digital versions. A manual gauge displays the depth using a slide, while the digital version displays the depth on a screen. Both types of gauges are accurate, and your choice depends on personal preference.
Insert the gauge’s probe into the groove, and you’ll see the depth on the slide or screen. If the depth registered is 5/32″ or more, your tire is healthy. If the depth is between 3/32″ and 4/32″, your tire is worn. Finally, if the tread depth is 2/32″, you need to visit us for an immediate tire replacement.
Visit Your Porsche Center
The best way to check the tread is to visit your Porsche center. Our technicians will examine your tires and can quickly and accurately measure tread depth. If you need new tires, we can fit replacement tires and balance them while you wait.