Checking the tread is essential to determine if your tires have enough grip to keep you safe on the road. Worn tires also tend to lose pressure, which has an impact on fuel economy, braking and handling. Not to mention that tires with worn tread will be more susceptible to punctures, which can result in a sudden blowout.
Frédéric Ouellet explains that as soon as the tire grooves reach 4/32nd of an inch or 3.2mm deep, you have to think about changing the tire. To drive legally, the tread of a tire must be equal to or greater than 2/32nd of an inch or 1.6mm. Take the groove depth measurement in more than one place, as measuring the depth at several points on the tread will also help you identify any alignment issues.
Rare manufacturers put wear indicators indicated by an arrow. “You have to be very careful not to trust the bad rating, because it’s annoying to get rid of tires that are still very good. There is always a small line inside the tire and some manufacturers give visual clues in the lug”, specifies the expert and tire retailer.
A simple way to check the wear of your tires (summer and winter) is to bring a quarter! “This stuff provides a good visual element,” says Frédéric Ouellet.
- Hold the piece face down.
- Choose a point on your tire where the tread pattern seems shallowest, and insert the patch into the groove.
- If the caribou’s nose is not visible, the depth of the groove is greater than or equal to 6/32nd of an inch or 4.8mm.
- If you can see the tip of the caribou’s snout, the tread is thinned, and the tire is worn. Your vehicle’s ability to grip the road is reduced, and you should consider getting a new set of tires.
You may not need to do these car repairs that are unnecessary expenses.