How to Identify the Safety Line on Tire Sidewalls?
2 Answers
Tire sidewall patterns feature a small triangular indicator every 60 degrees. This serves as a directional marker. By following this triangle with your fingers towards the tread surface, you'll generally find two grooves on the tire tread. Inside these grooves, you can feel a transverse line (also visible upon close inspection) - this is the tire safety line. Below are detailed explanations about the tire safety line: 1. The tire safety line functions as a wear limit indicator. When tread wear reaches this line, the tire must be replaced. Otherwise, it becomes prone to overheating and blowouts during normal driving. In rainy conditions, insufficient tread depth reduces water drainage capacity, leading to hydroplaning and loss of vehicle control. 2. If remaining groove depth measures at or below 1.6mm (as indicated by depth markers in the longitudinal tread grooves), the tire requires immediate replacement. At this point, the tire's water evacuation capability is severely compromised, making wet-surface driving particularly hazardous.
The tire sidewall safety line is essentially the tread wear indicators on your tires, which are hidden in the grooves of the tire tread and appear as small raised bumps or bars. When I drive, I often squat down to take a close look at the tire surface—if those grooves wear down to the level of the small bumps, it generally means the tread depth is below 1.6 millimeters, and it's time to replace the tires immediately. Otherwise, driving on wet or slippery roads can easily lead to skidding. Regular checks can prevent the risk of blowouts. I usually inspect them once a month, while also checking the tire pressure because low pressure can cause tires to wear out faster and affect handling. If you don’t feel like squatting, try inserting a one-yuan coin into the tread: if it covers the groove, the depth is insufficient.
