How to Check Tire Tread Depth On Your Audi in West Palm Beach

Your tires are your vehicle's contact point with the road, so it's incredibly important to keep them in good condition to stay safe on the road. Issues like low tire pressure or heavily worn tire tread can lower your brakes' effectiveness and leave you vulnerable to a flat tire or blowout.

Fortunately, a simple check of your tire tread depth only takes a few minutes of your time and ensures your tires are in safe driving condition. Drivers in West Palm Beach, Delray Beach, and Boynton Beach can find out how to check tread depth with this helpful article from Audi West Palm Beach.

Penny Test

The penny test is a common and trusted method for determining your tire tread depth. Using only a penny, you can be sure your tires haven't fallen beneath the minimum threshold.

A tire's tread depth is measured in 32nds of an inch, with new tires at approximately 10/32 of an inch or 11/32 of an inch. Some trucks or SUVs may have deeper tread depths than others. Generally, the threshold for unsafe tread wear is 2/32 of an inch, with many states requiring your tires be replaced if they become this worn.

To check your tread depth, place a penny between the tread of your tires. Turn the penny until Lincoln's head is downward in the tread. If the top of Lincoln's head isn't visible, your tread is deeper than the threshold of 2/32 of an inch. If his head is visible, your tread is significantly worn, and your tires should be replaced.

It's important to check all your tires and check different areas of your tires, since certain driving conditions can cause uneven wear to one or more tires. Look for areas that appear visibly worn, and if any spot is at the depth threshold, your entire tire should be replaced.

If you find that your tires have a lot of uneven wear, it could indicate that your wheels aren't properly aligned, your tires aren't properly inflated or a variety of other problems, so be sure to follow up with a technician and correct the problem.

Other Methods of Checking Tread Depth

The penny test is simple, quick and inexpensive, but there are other ways to check your tread depth, such as:

Tire Tread Depth Gauge: These gauges can be found in any auto parts store and are a simple way to check your tread. Like the penny, you just put the probe into the grooves in the tread and press the edges of the probe against the tread block, then check the results.

Tire Tread Wear Indicator Bars: Several types of tires come with their own wear indicators, which are embedded within the tread grooves at 2/32 of an inch. If you see the indicator bars between the grooves, it's time to replace the tire.

Schedule Your Service Appointment

While any of these methods can give you an idea of your tire tread depth, they can't always indicate if your tire has an unsafe level of wear. Wet or slippery conditions demand more of your tires, so if your tires are close to the threshold of wear, you should have them checked by a qualified technician.

If you need tire repair or replacement in West Palm Beach, Delray Beach, or Boynton Beach, Audi West Palm Beach can help. Call or stop by our service center today to speak with a technician about your tires and schedule your service appointment!