HOW TO CHECK THE TREAD DEPTH OF A TYRE

You might have heard the importance of tread depth and how it is essential for the vehicle. But did it ever strike on your mind that why is it important? What is the need to measure it? And how would you be able to measure it?

 

It is not unknown that tyres are the most integral part of a vehicle as it is the only bond between the vehicle and the ground. The tread is basically the rubber that touches the ground, which is responsible for traction and proper gripping of the vehicle, and it is possible because of various patterns present in the tyre. On the other hand, if the treads of a tyre are not that deep, then it reduces the traction of the vehicle. As per Tyres Peterborough, it becomes difficult to have control over the vehicle if the tread groves are shallow. Moreover, it becomes more challenging during monsoon, therefore, you must check the tread depth regularly to ensure the safety of your vehicle.  

Furthermore, the design present on the tyre impacts the performance of the vehicle in rainy or snowy weather conditions. A tyre with lower tread depth impacts the braking capacity of the vehicle, thereby increasing the risk of aquaplaning. Aquaplaning or hydroplaning is a dangerous condition in which the vehicle has no contact with the road due to a layer of water formed in-between tyre and the road. 

 

Now you might think how much is the tread depth of a new tyre? The tread depth of new tyres is 8mm to 9mm. With constant usage of the vehicle and time, the tread of the tyre becomes lower due to wear and tear. So it is important to keep a regular check on the tread depth of the tyre. 

 

With the help of professionals, it is easier to measure tread depth but if you don’t have access to them then? Well, the primary thing that you should know is that the minimum legal tread depth of a car should be above 1.6mm. So if the tread depth of a car is below 1.6 mm then it's time for you to opt for a new tyre as continuing with the old tyre can lead to catastrophic incidents. 

 

Do you know how to measure the tread depth of a tyre? 

You can reach out to professionals for help, however, if you are tight on budget then you can choose to do it yourself. There are two methods of measuring the tread depth of a tyre. Before opting for any of the methods, you need to follow the steps below.

 

First of all, place your car on an even, and wide surface and keep the ignition state off.

Secondly, apply the parking brakes along with the first gear. Now you can follow any of the methods mentioned below to check the tread depth of your vehicle tyre.

 

Using a coin

 

This method is known as the penny test method. It is the quickest and hassle-free method to check the tread depth of your tyre. To conduct this test first take a two-rupee coin and place it into the tread. Now notice properly how deep the coin goes into the tread. This will give you an idea about the depth of the tread.

Before conducting this test it is better to know that the depth of tread will be different for different tyres as one tyre might be more worn out compared to the other one. Therefore, it is essential to measure all the tyres to know the individual depth to ensure that each tyre is above the minimum legal limit. 

If you install all four tyres of your car at the same time then the tread depth will be more or less similar for all the tyres. But if you find great differences between tyres then you need not worry because it is totally normal to have these variations. Moreover, it is an indication that the tyre with less tread depth has worn out the most. As per Tyres Peterborough, this is the correct time to opt for a wheel alignment test as this allows you to understand whether all the tyres have worn out equally or not. Moreover, the wheel alignment and balancing test is not a one-time task and it is recommended that all the tyres should be examined every 3000 kilometres.

 

Using a tread depth gauge

 

To enhance the performance of your vehicle as well as your safety, it is essential to check the tread depth of your tyre. To get an accurate reading of the tread depth of your tyre, you can use a tread depth gauge to measure it. If the gauge indicates that the tread depth is below 1.6 mm then it is time to replace your car tyre because your safety is compromised. Moreover, it is recommended to visit a professional vehicle repair shop like Tyres Peterborough to get proper guidance.

 

Conclusion

 

Measuring tread depth is not as simple as it seems moreover it is always better to reach out to an expert for accurate measurement. However, if you are curious to do it all by yourself then you need proper guidance as it is a matter of safety and we do not want to compromise on that in any way.

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