Do I need to replace tires at 4 32? (2023)

Is 4 32 a good tire tread depth?

The tire tread depth gauge measures in 32nds of an inch. Good tire tread depth will be 6/32 or deeper. If the depth is 4/32, you should start thinking of replacing your tires and getting new ones. 2/32 or less means that you should change your tires ASAP.

Check For Tread Depth

To meet legal safety standards in the U.S., a tire's tread needs to be at least 2/32” deep. If the tires do not meet the 2/32” standard or are approaching not meeting it, you should replace your tires. When replacing tires, it's important to select the right tire size for your vehicle.

Low tire tread: Many mechanics recommend replacement when your vehicle reaches between 3/32 and 4/32 of an inch. This is especially true if you live in an area with severe climates to prevent hydroplaning and other inclement weather risks. Good tread levels: New tires often have 11/32 of an inch of tread.

Then usable tread depth is compared to remaining tread depth in order to calculate tread wear percentages. For example, a tire that started with 10/32" of original tread depth and has worn off 4/32" (down to 6/32" of remaining tread depth) is 50% worn.

A tire with a half-tread depth usually has 5/32 to 6/32 of an inch remaining. Tires are worn-out when they reach 2/32 of an inch, but you don't need to go that low to see a substantial decline in performance on slick (wet, snowy, or icy) surfaces.

The U.S. Department of Transportation recommends replacing tires when they reach 2/32”, and many states legally require tires to be replaced at this depth. The idea of the penny test is to check whether you've hit the 2/32” threshold.

The minimum legal limit is 2/32 of an inch. This doesn't mean that tires are perfectly safe if they have 3/32 left of tread. This is simply the limit at which you won't pass your state safety inspection. Your tires become incrementally less safe as the tread wears down.

Normally, used tires last 2-5 years if bought in adequate condition. A 2-year-old tire with no damage, patches, uneven wear, and with about 8/32” tread left, may last for good 5 years. A 4-year-old tire with 5/32” tread left, and without any significant plugs or cuts, may last a further 2 years.

Quarter Test for Tire Tread Wear Measurement

Another easy coin test to measure tread depth is the quarter test. Insert a quarter into your tread groove. If the tread touches Washington's head, you have at least 4/32 inch of tread remaining.

6/32” Your tire's tread depth is sufficient for 3-seasons but nearing minimum for a winter tire. 5/32” If wet roads are a concern, consider replacing your tires. 4/32” – 3/32” Seriously consider replacing your tires as soon as possible. If it's a winter tire, 4/32” is the minimum.

How can I tell if I need new tires?

A tire with a tread depth below 1.6 millimeters (2/32 inches) lacks grip. Braking distance and vehicle control are impaired. These tires are not safe for driving and must be replaced.

You can expect your tread to go down 1/32 of an inch every 5,000 to 8,000 miles, depending on the tire. As your tire's tred wears down, the grooves between your treads will steadily become more shallow. This will eventually affect your car's grip on the road and can lead to danger with hydroplaning.

He says research carried out by Michelin shows that changing a tyre with 3mm or 4mm of tread remaining – instead of 1.6mm – equates on average to an extra tyre per company car every two years.

Steer tires, or any tire on the front wheels, must have a minimum depth of tread of 4/32 of an inch. Every other tire must have a minimum depth of 2/32 of an inch.

5/32” is still sufficient in most cases, but tires may start to lose traction on wet roads. 4-3/32” is the level at which you should think about choosing a new tire/set of tires. 2/32” is the average legal minimum for tread depth; at this level your tires are considered bald and unsafe.

When to replace tires. You must replace tires when the tread depth falls below 1.6 mm, which is the legal limit. Please consider that safe driving in wet and snowy weather conditions is affected by the tread depth, the pattern design and the rubber compound of the tread of your tires.

While most new tires have a tread depth around 10/32nds of an inch, the tread wears down over time. This makes it more difficult to steer your vehicle, reduces traction and increases braking time. The U.S. Department of Transportation deems tires that have tread at or below 2/32nds of an inch to be unsafe.

Put George Washington's head into one of the big grooves. If the top of his head is flush with the tread, you have about 4⁄32 inch of tread left, meaning you have some grip remaining for rainy or snowy conditions. That's the time when you should start shopping for new tires.

If the two circumferences are more than three per cent apart, check out another size. More than one computer or sensor on just about anything on four wheels today requires an accurate and constant idea of how far and fast a vehicle is travelling.

How long should tires last?

On average, people drive between 12,000 to 15,000 miles a year, which means the average good quality all-season tire will last somewhere between three and five years, depending on maintenance, driving style and conditions, etc.

It's always best to replace all 4 tires at the same time. This is because all 4 tires spin independently of one another, and different tread depths and/or styles can cause them to spin at different speeds. That could potentially damage the drive train, and possibly affect an indirect TPMS system if the vehicle has one.

Is It OK to Mix Tires on Your Vehicle? The short answer is that, in general, manufacturers do not recommend tire mixing at all. For optimal safety and performance, it is recommended that vehicles are fitted with the same tires to every wheel position on your car.

The straightforward answer is “it depends.” A normal set of tires should last for 60,000 to 75,000 miles, or about four to five years. But there are a few key factors that will affect your tires' lifespan.

Front tyres tend to wear faster, up to 2.5 times faster on some cars. The left front tyre has it the hardest. It is the most heavily loaded and responsible for transmitting most of the steering during right hand turns.

Tire manufacturers and safety regulatory bodies say a tire must be replaced when the tread depth reaches 1.6mm or 2/32 of an inch. Summer tires should be replaced at 3mm tread depth and winter tires should be replaced at 4mm tread depth.

Turn the penny so that Lincoln's head points down into the tread. See if the top of his head disappears between the ribs. If it does, your tread is still above 2/32” If you can see his entire head, it may be time to replace the tire because your tread is no longer deep enough.

Simply insert a penny into your tire's 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 2/32 inch and it's time to replace your tires.

While there's no federally sanctioned safety guidance on when a tire is too old to be safe, many carmakers recommend replacement at six years from the date of manufacture. Old tires have been the culprit in fatal accidents.

What does tire tread 4 mean?

In wet conditions, 4/32" or less tread means a significant loss of wet traction due to shallower grooves and sipes. In most states, a tire is legally worn out at 2/32", but its ability to stop is severely compromised at 4/32". In snow conditions, traction noticeably diminishes at 6/32" tread depth.

Tire wear bars sit at 2/32" of tread depth, which is the lowest tread depth allowed by the law - this depends on state to state, but most in most states you can drive your vehicle with that much tread left.

Your tires should last 50,000 to 60,000 miles on average. But that really depends on the manufacturer. Some manufacturers build their tires to last up to 80,000 miles, while some design their tires to last as little as 30,000 miles. You can see how many miles to expect out of a tire by checking its treadwear rating.

In California, the minimum depth for tire treads is 1/32nd of an inch on any two adjacent grooves. For major grooves, the minimum depth is 4/32nd of an inch for tires on the vehicle's steering axle, and 2/32nd of an inch for all other tires.

Normally, used tires last 2-5 years if bought in adequate condition. A 2-year-old tire with no damage, patches, uneven wear, and with about 8/32” tread left, may last for good 5 years. A 4-year-old tire with 5/32” tread left, and without any significant plugs or cuts, may last a further 2 years.

Once your tire tread is below 1/8th of an inch of rubber, most industry experts suggest preparing to replace. If you are down to 1/16th of an inch, your tires are considered worn out, and most states require immediate replacement.

A tire with a tread depth below 1.6 millimeters (2/32 inches) lacks grip. Braking distance and vehicle control are impaired. These tires are not safe for driving and must be replaced.

6/32” Your tire's tread depth is sufficient for 3-seasons but nearing minimum for a winter tire. 5/32” If wet roads are a concern, consider replacing your tires. 4/32” – 3/32” Seriously consider replacing your tires as soon as possible. If it's a winter tire, 4/32” is the minimum.

The tread depth difference between front and rear tires should be no more than 3/32nds of an inch. If it is, you've got a problem with tire circumference difference. Get all four tires replaced.

Your tires should last 50,000 to 60,000 miles on average. But that really depends on the manufacturer. Some manufacturers build their tires to last up to 80,000 miles, while some design their tires to last as little as 30,000 miles. You can see how many miles to expect out of a tire by checking its treadwear rating.

How low can a tire be before it is unsafe?

If you have standard passenger tires (ninety percent of vehicles do) the lowest tire pressure you can generally drive with is 20 pounds per square inch (PSI). Anything under 20 PSI is considered a flat tire, and puts you at risk for a potentially devastating blowout.

The next thing to do is measure tire tread with a penny. Even though a penny doesn't have exact marks for measurement, a good reference point to estimate 2/32 inches is the top of Lincoln's head. The distance between the edge of the coin and the top of Lincoln's head should be close to 2/32 inches.

How Often Should You Get a Tire Rotation? A good rule of thumb is every 5,000 miles. Depending on your vehicle, driving style, and tire type, you may need to rotate your tires more or less often.