A tire tread depth chart displays information on the minimum tread allowed on usable tires. The charts are available online from companies such as Tire Information Center, which has information relating to anything that is tire specific, such as tread depth and rotations.
A new tire retains a tread depth from 10/32 to 11/32. This tread depth is usually made to last anywhere from 3 to 5 years, depending on how well it is maintained. To measure the tread of a tire using an available chart, follow these steps:
- Insert a penny into the tire
- Mark the tread depth on the penny
- Measure the mark on the penny
Turn a penny upside down and place it inside the tire tread.
Mark where on the tread meets the penny.
Take a ruler and measure the mark on the penny, then compare the results with the chart.
