Tire checks

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Nov 16, 2014 | 02:19 PM

Brucecmc

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From: Louisiana

Tire checks

Alright, I've seen several posts about using a penny and a quarter to check the tread depth for the 2/32's safe depth.

Which is it. Penny? Or quarter?

In this case size matters!!

Nov 16, 2014 | 02:53 PM

btsom

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From: Oklahoma

The folks who show this check on TV use the penny. As far as I know the legal limit on MC tires is 1/32 so the penny leaves some wear unused if going down to 1/32 doesn't bother you. I have seen no tires in the last 20+ years that didn't have the wear bar indicators molded into the tread. They are little ridges higher than the base of the tread groove and when the tread wears down to the point that the wear bar is even with the tread the tire should be replaced. If you look for the wear bars you don't need to scrounge up a penny.

Nov 16, 2014 | 04:42 PM

Moe55

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From: Northford, CT

Look on the side of the tire just below the tread you will see a small triangle that is pointing to the wear bar on the tire.

Nov 16, 2014 | 04:52 PM

Brucecmc

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From: Louisiana

Understood. And I'm familiar with the wear bar. I was just curious if anybody knew which was the more accurate (or correct). Penny or quarter.

Thanks

Nov 16, 2014 | 06:13 PM

themensh

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From: north of Daytona

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brucecmc

Understood. And I'm familiar with the wear bar. I was just curious if anybody knew which was the more accurate (or correct). Penny or quarter.

Thanks

Always was told if you insert Lincolns head into the tread...if his head shows, time for a new tire. But a tire tread depth gage is cheap... and would fill up a spot on your tool wall!
LOL But I go by the tread indicators on the tire it self.

Chuck

Nov 18, 2014 | 03:51 AM

NoCoLoco

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From: Northern Colorado

Save your loose change for the gumball machines and go by the wear indicator on the tire. If it is recessed you're good to go, if it is flush then it's time for a new tire. It doesn't get any more simple than that!

Last edited by NoCoLoco; Nov 18, 2014 at 04:06 AM.

Nov 18, 2014 | 05:26 AM

binkman78

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From: Show Me State

Answer to the question is: Penny

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Nov 18, 2014 | 08:10 AM

grbrown

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From: Bedford UK

In my experience over the last 40 years we don't need either! When a tyre gets low on tread depth it tends to change how it rides, which is a tell-tale sign that a change is nigh.