How to Check Tire Wear?
2 Answers
Methods to check tire wear: Observe whether there is abnormal uneven wear on the tire tread or use a ruler to measure the depth of each tread groove to see if they are similar; Check if there is abnormal feather-like wear on the tread; Inspect each tread block for signs of chamfering (uneven tread blocks, missing corners, or front-high and rear-low conditions). Feel the tread surface with your hand to check for unevenness (step differences), and examine whether the tread ribs on both sides of the longitudinal grooves are of the same height. Sawtooth wear on the tread: This is caused by improper front wheel alignment, displacement of the front suspension system, or loose ball joints. Normal rolling wheels producing slippage or constantly changing wheel alignment during driving can also cause sawtooth wear on the tires.
Checking tire wear is quite simple. With decades of driving experience, I've picked up a few tricks. When you have time after parking, squat down and carefully inspect the tire surface. The easiest method is to take a one-yuan coin, insert it upside down into the tire tread groove. If the national emblem pattern is completely visible, it means the tread depth is below 1.6mm, and it's time to replace the tire. Feeling the depth variation by hand is also useful—be cautious if it's shallow or uneven. Additionally, watch for cracks or bulges on the tire sidewalls, which indicate aging or impact damage and can lead to blowouts. I once nearly had an accident due to skidding in the rain because I neglected to check, so now I make it a habit to inspect monthly. Safety comes first—excessive wear affects traction, especially at high speeds or in wet conditions, increasing the risk of losing control. It’s also good practice to check after each car wash to ensure your tires are roadworthy.