In inches, not metric, what tread depth would warrant replacing tires?

Question

In inches, not metric, what tread depth would warrant replacing tires?

Answer 1

I agree with UCANTSEEME.  It is 2/32's of an inch.  Like someone else stated... the distance between President Lincoln's head and the edge of the Penny is 2/32s of an inch.  If you stick the penny in the tread groove and you can't see the top of Mr. Lincoln's head, your tires are legal.  

You need to take into consideration that the whole tread pattern needs to fulfill this requirement, so if you have a "rib" that is worn more than the ones next to it... or cupping in the tread from an out of balance tire, then you need to replace that tire.  If any portion of it is below the 2/32s mark, it is not legal, or safe to run the tire.

Answer 2

3/32" for the rear, 5/32" for the front are the legal limits.

Answer 3

take an American penny flip it upside down and insert it into the tread. if you can see the top of the hair line its about time to replace them.

Answer 4

tires today have a wear bar at the bottom of the tread in the groove section that tells you when to replace your tires,when your tires wear down to this point it's time to replace your tires it should b at 2/32 of an inch..the bar is in the groove that connects to one side of the tread to the other looks like a small raised section of rubber...get a chance go out and look at the tires and you can see the bar they are placed in different sections all around the tire in every tread groove...

Answer 5

Tread Depth - The distance measured in the major tread groove nearest the centerline of the tire from the base of the groove to the top of the tread.

According to law, most states legally consider a tire to be worn out when it reaches a tread depth of 2/32".

Answer 6

At 3/32 of an inch they are no longer legal, but that should be the absolute minimum, and probably should have been replaced long before they reached that point.

Most tires have wear indicators, a bar of rubber in the tread at intervals. If that rubber bar is even with the tread, you are at 3/32.

Rotate your tires according to the pattern given in your manual at the recommended intervals. Keep them inflated to the right pressure (and that is NOT the maximum written on the tire), and inspect them for sidewall cracking or other problems at least monthly.