How To Check Tire Tread Depth

Every Scottsdale and Cave Creek drives should know how to check tire tread depth at home. Thankfully, there’s no real difficulty here. Even if you have no prior knowledge at all, you can start to ensure a safer drive today!

Know Your Recommended Depth

New Volkswagen tires generally have a tread depth of 10/32 or 11/32 of an inch. Specialized tires and seasonal tires might differ slightly, but no matter what kind of equipment you’ve chosen for your vehicle, they’re going to wear down eventually. The U.S. Department of Transportation recommends tire replacement at or before the point when your tire tread depth reaches 2/32 of an inch. So, keep this measurement in mind when you’re answering the question, “How do I check tire tread wear?”

How to Check Tire Tread Depth with a Penny

Although you can pick up a specialized tire tread measurement device at our Phoenix parts department, there’s an easy way to check tire tread depth without spending any money at all. It’s called the Penny Test, and it’s just as simple as it sounds. Here’s how to check tire tread depth at home:

1. Insert a standard penny into the tire tread, with Lincoln’s head facing down and out.
2. If you can see all of Lincoln’s head and face, your tires have definitely crossed the threshold at which they need to be replaced.
3. If his face is obscured, your tire tread depth is greater than 2/32 of an inch. However, you’ll want to check all four tires. You’ll also want to check multiple locations on each tire.

If there are significant differences between the tread depth of your wheels, it might be that you’ve failed to schedule tire rotation at the appropriate times. However, a more serious issue like misalignment might also be the culprit.

Why Should I Check My Tire Treads Regularly?

Tires generally last for about three to four years, assuming that you drive around 10-15,000 miles per year. Still, even if your tires are relatively new, you’ll want to check your tread depth regularly. Here’s why:

• Getting up close and personal with your tires makes it easy to catch issues before they lead to problems with more expensive components.
• Tires with deeper treads simply offer better traction and a safer drive, but that’s not all. Properly maintained and inflated tires also offer better fuel economy.
• If you drive on tires with treads of less than 2/32 of an inch in depth, you’re far more likely to experience a flat tire or a blowout.

Get the Help You Need with Volkswagen North Scottsdale!

Now that you know how to check tire tread depth, it’s time to take the next steps on the road to true peace of mind. If your tread depth is low, or if it’s been a while since your last rotation, schedule service at Volkswagen North Scottsdale.  If you’re ready to get a new set of tires, you can order your parts online or come see us in Phoenix today!