How much tread is legal? (2023)

How much tread is acceptable on a tire?

New tires typically come with 10/32” or 11/32” tread depths, and some truck, SUV and winter tires may have deeper tread depths than other models. 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.

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.

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.

Used tires tread can be up to 90%, but the average is 6-8/32”. Tires in good condition should have a minimum of 6/32” to be useful, or 4/32” if the tire is 13-14”. The average legal minimum tread depth is 2/32”, but driving becomes unsafe with such a tread.

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 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.

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.

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 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.

Is 4 32 a good 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.

As you drive, the tread will wear down. 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.

As mentioned above, tires are legally "worn out" In most States when they reach 2/32" of remaining tread depth. For example, a typical tire that starts with 10/32" of original tread depth has only 8/32" of useable tread depth.

If you've got a number between 7 and 12/32” – you're good for now! Any less, and you'll be able to improve your winter braking and cornering with a new set of winter tires.

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.

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.

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.

What is the minimum recommended tread depth? The minimum permitted tyre tread depth is 1.6 mm. For safety reasons, it is recommended that each tyre should have at least 3.0 mm tread depth. Most new tyres have 8.0 mm.

Is it OK to have two different tire treads?

Primarily, you should avoid mixing different tire brands and different tread patterns. There are rare exceptions for approved mixed-tire fittings, but in general, manufacturers do not recommend tire mixing at all.

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.

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.

You may want to consider replacing your winter tires well before they get to 2/32 inches. For winter driving, a tread depth of at least 5/32 inches is recommended because winter conditions require thicker tread.

It's usually 30 psi for small, 36 psi for medium, and 42 psi for large car.”

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.

As a general rule, you want replacement tires that are within 3 percent of the diameter (height) measurement of your existing tires' diameter — assuming your current tires are what your owner's manual recommends.

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.

Most of the cars on the road today are front-wheel-drive, and a few are rear-wheel drive. These don't necessarily need to have all four tires replaced at once. Usually two at a time is sufficient. But all-wheel-drive systems are becoming more popular, and they do require all four tires to be replaced at one time.

What tires wear out the fastest?

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.

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.

Quarter Tire Tread Test

If you can see the top of Washington's head, then your tires have worn below 4/32nds of an inch. Below 4/32'', your tires will experience a serious loss in stopping power and hydroplaning resistance. We highly recommend replacing tires worn to or below 4/32nds of tread depth.

Although tire manufacturers ensure that up to the legal limit of 4 mm - they fully perform their functions, the tread should be checked before the winter season. If its depth is less than 5 mm, it can be better utilized while new tires are fitted to the car.

Under normal driving circumstances with a front-wheel drive vehicle (passenger cars, minivans, etc.), the front tires will wear at a slightly higher rate than the rear tires.

Uneven tire wear is usually caused by improper alignment, overinflation, underinflation or a worn out suspension. It can be helpful to know the different uneven tire wear patterns below and what they may suggest about your car.

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 rule of thumb for the lifespan of tires is five years," says Al Premji, owner of Vancouver's ABC Tire. "After about five years, the rubber becomes hard and, even if the tires are looking good, the traction reduces and weakens quite dramatically, actually.

– a softer tyre is faster but wears out sooner. A harder compound lasts longer, but doesn't provide the best performance. Soft tyres – These represent the fastest rubber, but are likely to wear out before the harder compounds do.

Are 5 32 tires safe?

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. 2/32” Your tires are legally bald and need to be replaced.

Downsizing your tires (aka minus sizing) can be effective for winter driving. Rather than using your factory rim and tire size, a smaller diameter wheel is matched with a more-narrow-but-taller tire. Overall, the tire is intended to be the same height as you'd choose a higher profile tire.

The absolute lowest tire pressure you can drive on is 20 psi—and even that isn't recommended. Anything below 20 psi is considered a flat tire, and driving on it can damage your car. If your tires are this low, you should add air. Recommended tire pressures usually range between 32 psi and 35 psi.

Deep, wide, jagged tread offers better traction in winter road conditions. Shallower grooves offer comfort and control in most road conditions. Rubber compound stays soft and flexible in cold weather to help with grip.

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.

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.

New tires typically come with 10/32” or 11/32” tread depths, and some truck, SUV and winter tires may have deeper tread depths than other models. 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.

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.

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. Not sure what size you need?

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.

How long will 5 32 tire last?

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.

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.

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.

Check your tire for any signs of cracks or uneven wear. This could indicate that your tire is on its way out or that something is wrong with your alignment. Either way, it is a sign that your tires should be replaced soon. Bulges on the tire can also be an indication that its time to replace it.

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.

If you've got a number between 7 and 12/32” – you're good for now! Any less, and you'll be able to improve your winter braking and cornering with a new set of winter tires.