How to Check Tread on Tires

Do you know what the penny tread test is? You can use a penny, or better yet, a quarter to slip into the tread and see if your tires need an update. Treads should be deep enough to grip the road, whether it’s icy, snowy, or slick from rain. A shallow tread cannot give you enough traction to master the roads you’re using.

If you slip a quarter into the tread, George Washington’s head should disappear. If he does not disappear, you’ll know that you could use a new set of tires. For further confirmation, make sure that you take your car to our service center for a formal inspection by a knowledgeable service technician.

If your treads cannot grab the road you’re driving on, other issues may result. Let’s go over what could happen if you do not pay attention to the status of the treads.

Tires that show excessive wear in the center of the tire may be caused by overinflating your tires regularly. If the shoulders of your tires show excessive wear, your tires may be regularly underinflated.

If your tires provide an uneven or wobbly ride, your tire treads may not be wearing out in a proper fashion. Consistent tire rotations every six months can prevent your tires from wearing out at an uneven rate.

Tires that wear out on only one side may point to the camber angle being incorrect. The camber angle is one of the angles made by the wheels of the car.

Treads on the outside of the tire that become knobby may indicate issues with the toe-in value. The toe-in value refers to the angle of the wheels when viewed from above.