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How to Check Tire Wear

Tap each step to follow along in order.

  1. Check the tread wear indicator

    Small raised bars sit at intervals along the bottom of the tread grooves. Once the tread surface wears down flush with these bars, the tire has reached the legal wear limit and needs replacing.

  2. Try a simple coin test

    Insert a coin into a tread groove. If too much of the coin's raised design is visible above the rubber, that's a simple sign the tread has worn down significantly.

  3. Check for uneven wear

    If one side of a tire is noticeably more worn than the other, it can point to a wheel alignment issue or incorrect tire pressure, so it's worth having the alignment checked at a shop.

  4. Understand how wear affects braking and drainage

    As tread gets shallower, its ability to channel water away drops, raising the risk of hydroplaning in the rain, and stopping distances can lengthen as well.

  5. Consider tire rotation too

    Front and rear tires often wear at different rates, so rotating their positions at regular mileage intervals helps keep wear more even across all four.

Know the Legal Minimum Tread Depth

Most places set a legal minimum tread depth of around 1.6mm, and once a tire reaches that point, its ability to drain water on wet roads and its braking performance both drop significantly. It's safest to plan a replacement before you ever get close to that limit. Check your local regulations for the exact standard where you drive.

Check Your Washer Fluid While You're At It

While you're checking your tires, it's worth also looking into topping off your washer fluid. Keeping both in mind helps with visibility and overall cleaning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it dangerous the moment tires reach the wear limit?

Once tread reaches the common legal minimum, water drainage and braking performance drop sharply, so it's safer to replace tires before they get anywhere near that point.

If a tire is unevenly worn, is replacing just that tire enough?

Uneven wear is often caused by an alignment issue, so replacing only the tire without addressing the alignment can lead to the same problem recurring. It's worth having the alignment checked too.