Is 4 32 tire tread OK? (2023)

How good is 4 32 tread?

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.

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.

With new tires, the car traveled 195 feet before coming to a stop; with 4/32-inch tires, it went 290 feet. The same vehicle with 2/32-inch tires traveled 379 feet, nearly doubling the stopping distance of the car with new tires.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Most states require a minimum of 2/32 of an inch (approximately 1.6 mm) of tread, but two require less, some have no requirements, and some defer to the federal criterion for commercial vehicle safety inspections.

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.

What is the minimum tread thickness for a car?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

How many 32nd of an inch are tire wear bars?

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.

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.

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.

For winter driving, a tread depth of at least 5/32 inches is recommended because winter conditions require thicker tread.

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.

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.

Most tires used on passenger vehicles have a treadwear rating that falls between 200 and 500. Tires in this bracket offer a great mix of grip and safety, matched with enough longevity to last multiple years if not driven hard every day. Tires with medium treadwear are therefore excellent for everyday driving.

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.

Most states require a minimum of 2/32 of an inch (approximately 1.6 mm) of tread, but two require less, some have no requirements, and some defer to the federal criterion for commercial vehicle safety inspections.

What is unsafe tread depth?

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.

Regardless of the type of car you drive, tyre tread depth plays a crucial role in the amount of grip your car has on the road. Having sufficient grip from your tyres is of paramount importance for the safety of you, your passengers and other road users.

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.

Take a penny and place Lincoln's head in one of the grooves of the tire tread. If you can see all of Lincoln's head, it's time to replace the tire. If the penny goes in enough that the tire tread is at least as deep as Lincoln's forehead, your tires are generally considered safe and do not need replacing.