How to Check Tire Tread Depth

Know how to check tire tread depth? If not, you really need to read through this quick and easy guide. Driving on tires without enough tread means your vehicle won’t be able to grip the road as reliably, and that puts you and your fellow road users in danger – it’s also a sign your tires aren’t going to last much longer, so you’ll risk blowouts by driving without enough tread.

With that in mind, just take a look at this tire tread depth overview provided by the service team at Kia of Cerritos to answer the following questions:

• What’s Your Recommended Tire Tread Depth?
• How Do I Check Tire Tread Wear?

What’s Your Recommended Tire Tread Depth?

If you’re unsure what tread depth you should have for drives around Los Angeles, you’re probably also unsure about the recommended tread depth of your tires. In general, new tires should come with a tread depth of 10/32 or 11/32. That’s around a third of an inch, but treads might be a little deeper with any of the following tires:

• Winter Tires
• Off-Roading Tires
• Truck Tires
• SUV Tires

If you want to continue enjoying safe performance between Carson and Orange County, the U.S. Department of Transportation recommends replacing your tires once tread depth falls below 2/32 of an inch.

How Do I Check Tire Tread Wear?

You can always use a tire tread depth gauge or tread wear bars to see if your tires still have 2/32 of an inch, but a penny can stand in if you don’t have those tools. As long as you do have a penny, you can check your tire tread depth by following these steps:

• Insert the penny into the tread with Lincoln’s head going first.
• Check how much of Lincoln’s head you can see. If you can see all of his face, your tires need replacing.
• Repeat this process at multiple locations on all four tires.

Need New Tires? Visit Our Parts Department to Find Exactly What You Need

Servicing tips and tricks from Kia of Cerritos can help keep your vehicle in prime condition from its tires to its transmission. For any further advice or assistance, don’t hesitate to get in touch today.