It’s easy to check your tire tread depth using a coin! Here’s how:
- Find a U.S. penny.
- Insert the penny into a tread groove with Lincoln’s head upside down and facing you.
- If you can see all of Lincoln’s head , your tread depth is less than 2/32nds of an inch and it’s time to replace your tires.
- If some of Lincoln’s head is covered by the tread , you have more than 2/32nds of an inch of tread remaining.
- Find a U.S. quarter.
- Insert the quarter into a tread groove with Washington’s head facing downward.
- If the tread touches Washington’s head , you have at least 4/32nds of an inch of tread remaining, which is recommended for optimal safety in wet conditions.
- If you can see the top of Washington’s head , your tread depth is less than 4/32nds of an inch, and while still safe, it’s time to start thinking about replacing your tires, especially if you frequently drive on wet roads.
- Check multiple spots: Since tires can wear unevenly, repeat the coin test in several locations around each tire, paying attention to areas that look most worn. If any area fails the test, it’s time for a replacement.
- Uneven Wear: Uneven wear could indicate alignment issues or other problems, so consider having your tires inspected by a professional if you observe this.
- Alternatives: You can also check your tread using built-in tread wear indicator bars on most tires or a dedicated tread depth gauge for more precise measurements.
- Safety: While the penny test indicates the legal minimum tread depth, performance, especially in wet conditions, can be significantly reduced before reaching that point. The [Discount Tire] article recommends considering replacement when tread depth is at or below 4/32nds of an inch.
By regularly performing these simple coin tests, you can help ensure your tires are in good condition and contribute to your safety on the road.
How do you measure tread depth with a Canadian quarter?
Good point! Slip a quarter in between your tread blocks. With the caribou’s nose down (facing you), does the tread covers the caribou nose? If so, your tires may have adequate tread left (they might even be new!). If you can see the nose of the Caribou, your tires are worn and will need to be replaced (soon, if not right now).
How to check tire tread with 25 cents?
Thanks for asking. Get a Canadian Quarter: Use a standard Canadian quarter featuring a caribou on one side.
Insert the Quarter: Place the quarter into the tread groove of your tire with the caribou’s head facing down.
Evaluate the Tread Depth: