How to Identify the Safety Line on Tire Sidewalls?
4 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.
Checking the safety line starts with experience—when I first started driving, I didn't know better, and after one long trip, the tires were completely worn out, which was extremely dangerous! The wear indicators are located between the tread grooves—those small rubber protrusions. When the wear is severe, these protrusions become less noticeable or even feel completely smooth. I always run my hand over them; if the ridges are gone, it's time to replace the tires. Remember, this is about driving safety—if the tread depth is less than 1.6mm, braking becomes unreliable. By the way, make it a habit: glance at the tire pressure monitoring system before driving. Combined with regular checks, this helps maintain overall vehicle stability, saving money and ensuring peace of mind.
Checking the safety indicator is simple: crouch beside the car and observe the tires. The small raised bars inside the grooves are the wear indicators. If the tread wears down to the same level as these bars, it means the tread depth is insufficient, indicating it's time to replace the tires. I've tried it myself—just use your eyes or lightly run your finger over them to judge; no fancy tools needed. By the way, don’t neglect regular checks—once a month is enough, like taking a quick look after parking, to avoid the danger of a high-speed blowout.
