Should I get new tires at 5 32 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This means you have 5/32 of 1 inch of tread remaining on your car tires. On most passenger car tires, this represents approximately 60% wear so you may want to start thinking about choosing a replacement set.
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. Here's how it works: Place a penny between the tread ribs on your tire.
Minimum tread depths: 5/32″ (snow), 4/32″ (rain), 3/32″ (dry). – Low tread depth restricts water, slush, and snow from escaping between tread and road. This will promote hydroplaning and reduce traction on wet and wintry roads.
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.
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.
At what percentage should tires be replaced?
No matter how they look, tires should never be used longer than 10 years. When should I really replace my tires? You should consider replacing your tires when the tread has worn down below the recommended depth of 2/32nds of an inch or they're over six years old.
As you approach 70 percent worn or more, you should just replace all four tires. Get exclusive ratings and reliability scores from CR - testing cars since 1936.

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.
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.
Wider tires have an increased risk of hydroplaning on slippery or wet surfaces, but they generally provide better grip for dry surfaces. Narrow tires will offer better traction in slippery conditions, but they are generally better for lighter vehicles such as hybrids or electric cars.
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.
If the red is visible the tyre tread is below 1.6mm. This means the tyre is 100% worn and should be replaced urgently. If the orange is visible, the tyre tread is 3mm which is the recommended minimum. If the green is visible, the tyre tread is above is 5mm and is safe to drive.
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.
4/32" or deeper | Good |
---|---|
3/32" | Replace Tires Soon |
2/32" or less | Replace Tires Now |
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.
Should I replace tires at 5mm?
Just 2 millimeters means it's time for a new tire while more than 5 millimeters is enough for most cars - anything in between depends on whether you expect the tire to perform well in the rain (meaning you need 4 millimeters) or the snow (5 millimeters or more is best).
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.
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.
If the red is visible the tyre tread is below 1.6mm. This means the tyre is 100% worn and should be replaced urgently. If the orange is visible, the tyre tread is 3mm which is the recommended minimum. If the green is visible, the tyre tread is above is 5mm and is safe to drive.
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.
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.
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.
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.