How to Identify Tire Wear?
2 Answers
Identifying tire wear involves observing the thickness from the top to the bottom of the tread grooves. New tires typically have a thickness of about 8mm, and when the wear reaches approximately 1.6mm, it's time to replace the tire. The functions of tires are: 1. Transmitting driving force, braking force, and steering force to achieve vehicle operation; 2. Supporting vehicle loads; 3. Reducing and absorbing vibrations and impacts during driving. Methods to reduce tire wear include: 1. Regularly removing stones stuck in tire treads; 2. Minimizing exposure to direct sunlight; 3. Timely checking tire pressure; 4. Paying attention to suspension maintenance; 5. Regularly inspecting front wheel alignment; 6. Adopting careful driving habits, choosing smooth road surfaces, avoiding objects that can puncture or scratch tires, and steering clear of chemical spills that may corrode tires.
I've been driving for several years and found checking tire wear to be quite simple. First, take a coin, like a dime, and insert it into the tire tread groove. If the coin's head is completely visible without seeing the lower part, it means the tread is shallow—typically, it's time to replace the tire when the depth is below 2mm. You can also look for small raised wear indicators in the tread grooves; if they're flush with the tread surface, that's another warning sign. Additionally, check if the wear is even—for example, faster wear in the middle might indicate overinflation, while uneven wear on one side could mean underinflation or misalignment. I take a quick look when washing my car weekly because severe wear increases the risk of skidding, especially in rainy conditions where braking distance is longer. Making this a habit puts safety first and helps avoid sudden blowouts on the road.
