Checking tire wear is one of the most
important elements of good car maintenance. Bald or worn tires can make your car unsafe and can even directly cause an
accident. Regular tire check ups with your dealership or mechanic are the best
option, but that is not always possible. Here is one example of a simple DIY trick to check tire wear and tread for
those times between service calls.
Did you know you can use a penny to help judge
the tread safety of your tires? It’s known as “The Penny Test” and it’s a quick
and easy method that can be used to see if your tires should be replaced.
Follow the steps below to test the wear of your tires in a simple and effective
way:
Step 1: Gather the necessary supplies
“The Penny Test” is a simple and effective way
to test the wear of your tire treads. The only supplies that are required to
test your tire wear using this method are a penny and the tire that you want to
test.
Step 2: Insert the penny between the tire treads
Take the penny and place it in between the
treads of your tire. Be sure to put the penny in upside down so that the top of
Abe Lincoln’s head is going into the treads.
Step 3: Use the penny to measure the treads
Once the penny is in between the treads of the
tire, use it to measure the depth of the tread by checking to see where the
tread comes to on the penny. For example, if the top of Lincoln’s head
disappears into the tread, that means you have more than 2/32 of an inch of
tread depth left, meaning you don’t yet need to replace them. However, if the
tread does not meet or go past the top of his head, then it is time to change
your tires.
Remember to use The Penny Test on different
spots of your tire because one part of your tire may pass the test but another
part may not. If this is the case, then there may be an issue with the
inflation of your tire that could result in damage to your overall vehicle.
There are also other ways to check your tire
treads. Other methods include using a tread depth gauge, tread indicator bars
and even your own judgement. Sometimes, you may be able to tell that there is
something wrong with your tires just by looking at them and seeing that the
treads are worn. You may also be able to feel that there is something wrong
with your car’s tires as you are driving.
It is important to understand and practice
tire tread safety when owning a car. Many accidents including hydroplaning and losing
control of your car on wet roads can be avoided simply by maintaining
proper tire safety. If you feel unsure when it comes to
checking your tire’s tread, head to your local auto repair shop and let a
professional take a look.
