Tire Tread Depth - what do these numbers mean? - answered. Thanks!

[SwiftWind]

I had an oil change done on my car along with checking other fluids and the tires as well. My tire tread depth numbers were ranging from 7/32 to 9/32. Are these good numbers? What are bad numbers? how do they measure these?

I always changed tires just by looking at them really and seeing if there's about a cm or so left.

Thanks for your time.

EDIT: Got the answers. thanks!!

 

[Engineer]

All tires (that I know of) have tread wear indicators located on them. There is a bump between the treads that indicates when a tire should "probably" be changed. If the bump is "even" with the tread, then it's time - but many people feel that it's OK to keep on going!

7/32 to 9/32 is around 1/4" so I would think that would be great treadlife left.

Drive em till they are slick! 😉 (j/k)

 

[scorpmatt]

have no clue what those numbers mean.

here's my two cents: take a penny, stick the penny upside down so lincoln's head is going into the tire. if the tread doesn't meat or go above his head, the tread's beyond the legal limit, time to change it

 

[dethman]

new tires typically have 10/32 tread. you have to replace them at 2/32 or 3/32. so your tread is fine.

 

[tfinch2]

Stick a penny in the tread upside down. If the tread is higher than Lincoln's head you're fine.

 

[skimple]

Check out Tirerack.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/knowtire.jsp

 

[OrganizedChaos]

you can use a computer but can't read a fraction?

edit: anyway just do what engineer said, replace them when they get down to the wear bars unless you need them for mud or snow.

 

[clickynext]

Originally posted by: tfinch2
Stick a penny in the tread upside down. If the tread is higher than Lincoln's head you're fine.

What if you're Canadian, and all you have on your penny is the queen?

 

[skimple]

Originally posted by: clickynext

Originally posted by: tfinch2
Stick a penny in the tread upside down. If the tread is higher than Lincoln's head you're fine.

What if you're Canadian, and all you have on your penny is the queen?

Use a loonie! If the tread is higher than the duck's @ss, you're OK.

 

[Engineer]

Wear bands FTW! 😀

 

[eelw]

Originally posted by: clickynext

Originally posted by: tfinch2
Stick a penny in the tread upside down. If the tread is higher than Lincoln's head you're fine.

What if you're Canadian, and all you have on your penny is the queen?

It's the same. If you can't see Queen Elizabeth's crown, you're okay.

 

[SwiftWind]

Thanks for the help guys!