To measure tread depth, US research magazine Consumer Reports, in its November issue, recommended consumers use a quarter instead of a penny, a change that doubles the tread depth. minimum depth to which car owners should consider obtaining a new tire: from 2/32 inches (1.6 mm) to 4/32 inches (3.175 mm).
The aforementioned magazine cited his research and that of others revealing that wet-weather stopping distances increase after tires reach the 4/32-inch mark.
While, for some tire dealers, such a recommendation from an influential publication won’t change how they recommend tire replacement, it could support them in the eyes of the customer.
Change of tires before 2/32″ (1.6 mm)
Parrish-McIntyre Tire Co. in Akron has recommended replacement at a 4/32-inch tread depth for years. “2/32 is considered bald,” said Jon Schadel, store supervisor.
“I’m not surprised by (CR’s recommendation),” said Drew Dawson, owner of Tire Source in Copley Township, Ohio, saying this isn’t a bad standard for the industry.
“It depends on the time of year. If you spend 4/32 in the spring and summer months, especially the summer after the rainy season, it’s safe. If it’s 4/32 as you enter the winter months in Northeast Ohio, the customer isn’t so sure” of the traction capabilities.
The tire dealers They specified that many tires need to be replaced long before they reach 2/32 inch (1.6 mm) minimum depth in any case.
Changing tires at 4/32″ (3.175 mm): Uneven wear
For his part, the president and CEO of Tireman Auto Services Centers in Toledo, Ohio, Randy Jones, specified that most of the time his technicians recommend replacing the tires due to the uneven wear instead of low tread depth.
In this regard, he stated that “two out of four tires generally show uneven wear. That’s what usually compels us to recommend replacement.”
Conversely, if the tires show even wear, consider a tire with a 4/32-inch tread depth to still have wear.
Dawson, for his part, stated: “Tires wear so differently.” He added that “some wear more around the edges that prevent people from getting to 2/32.”
Mr. Jones stated that his customers often come in with symptoms, such as lack of traction or hydroplaning, rather than worrying about tread depth. Thus, he reaffirmed that the usual explanation is uneven wear.
Regarding this, he expressed that “most consumers want to replace in sets (of four) for better performance.” However, he also stated that: “many tire dealers are hesitant to recommend (early replacements) because it will seem like a dishonest recommendation.”
Minimum rim depth in the United States
It should be noted that there is no national law governing the minimum depth for changing tires, but 42 states of USES considered as the legal minimum tread depth: 2/32 inch (1.6mm). As for California and Idaho consider 1/32″ (0.79mm) at a minimum, and Arkansas, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Carolina, and West Virginia do not have tread depth standards.
However, in Texas, vehicles with tires smaller than 3/32 inch (2.38 mm) deep they don’t pass state-mandated safety inspections, according to A to Z Tire & Battery Inc. in Amarillo, Texas, president Phillip Nussbaum. Tread depth safety often depends on seasonal conditions, applications and even a customer’s budget, he said.
For example, in areas with a lot of rain, the lower tread depths are more susceptible to hydroplaning, Nussbaum said. He added that he believes CR’s recommendation could affect replacement tire sales “to some extent.”
“Anything that has something that makes customers more security conscious helps,” he noted. In the same way he assured that: «When a leading publication like that says it, it certainly does not hurt. When a tire is 3/32 and 4/32, it doesn’t look as good and when you show it to the customer, they recognize it.”
How to measure the minimum depth of a tire with a coin?
CR urged consumers to insert a US quarter, George Washington head down, into a groove in the tread. “If his tread won’t cover Washington’s hairline, it’s time for new tires,” the magazine said.
Others recommend measuring with a US 1 cent coin, where if the coin does not cover the beginning of Abraham Lincoln’s hair, you should opt to go to buy new tires.
What is the minimum depth at which I should change my tire?
If you want to know what is the minimum depth What should you change a tire to?, you must take into account some important factors such as: the season of the year in which you are (spring, summer, autumn and winter); if it shows uneven wear; Is there some kind of law that stipulates a minimum tread depth? and the recommendation of an expert at the dealership.
Taking all of the above into account, it is that you should decide when it is most important to change the tires on your car. Regarding this, we can conclude that the minimum rim depth should be between 2/32 inches (1.6 mm) to 4/32 inches (3.175 mm)as required.
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