How Do I Check Tire Tread Depth?

If you’re like many San Antonio drivers, you may be wondering, “How do I check tire tread wear?” You’ll probably be surprised to learn that all you need to do so is a ruler or a penny, and you can check tire tread depth at home. Below, you’ll find an easy-to-follow guide from our service center on how to check tire ready depth

What’s a Safe Tire Tread Depth?

New tire tread depth ranges from about 10/32 or 11/32 of an inch (roughly a third of an inch). Of course, tires that are designed for colder conditions will be thicker and have deeper tread grooves. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, it’s time to replace your tires at 2/32 of an inch. Proper tread depth isn’t just important to the performance of your Aston Martin; it’s also crucial to driving safety and remaining fuel-efficient during your daily drives.

What’s the Penny Test?

If you don’t have a ruler handy, you can use a penny to check tire tread depth if you need to do so in a pinch. Once you have the penny, simply follow these steps to figure out whether you need to replace your tires:

1. Place the penny in between a groove on the tire with Lincoln’s head facing down.
2. Is Lincoln’s head mostly covered by the groove, or can you see all of his face?
3. If you can see all of Lincoln’s face, the tire treads measure 2/32 inches deep or less and it’s time to schedule a tire replacement.
4. Do this for each tire, and be sure to check different areas on the tires.

Are There Other Ways to Check Tire Health?

You don’t have to use a penny or ruler every time you check tire tread depth. For the most accurate results, you can purchase a tire tread depth gauge, or tread wear bars that indicate when a tire reaches the 2/32 mark. Both of these tools are inexpensive and can be reused as many times as you need. In addition to checking tire treads, you’ll also want to devote time to completing/having the following service completed:

• Tire pressure checks
• Inspections for any visible damage
• Inspections for any tire rot or disintegration
• Tire alignment
• Tire rotation

Schedule Tire Service at Aston Martin Houston!

If you have any more questions about how to check the tire tread depth on your Aston Martin, or want to know more about tire services, contact our service center directly. Our friendly and knowledgeable technicians can tell you everything you need to know about tire care, as well as answer other parts information and service-related questions like, “Should I use premium or regular gas?” and “how long does an oil change take?” While you’re here, be sure to browse our parts and service specials for savings opportunities on the parts and services you need!