How to Measure Tire Depth

Tire Replacement Services in Calgary

It’s easy to overlook the wear and tread on your tires. But it’s a technique and topic that should always be on your mind before driving. The treat depth on your tires keeps you safe on the road by providing adequate grip for acceleration, cornering, and braking. If you aren’t sure how to check the tread on your tires, there are a few easy ways to tell without having to bring your vehicle into a shop. We’ll go over the most common ways to check your tire’s tread depth. When it’s time for new tires, bring your vehicle to Tire Pirates. We have decades of experience helping drivers throughout Calgary get the right tires for their vehicles at competitive prices. Call us today to schedule your appointment!

Correct Tire Depths

Monitor your tire tread depths closely, especially if you are driving frequently. We suggest you check your tire tread every 5,000 km to stay safe on the road. Canadian law requires a minimum of 1.6 mm tread depth. However, different provinces may have stricter laws. Always consult your local laws and regulations regarding your vehicle operation. Fortunately, there are easy ways to determine if your tires have the correct tread depth.

The Quarter Method

One of the oldest tricks is to gab a quarter or a nickel between your thumb and forefinger. Place the coin inside the channel, the deepest part of the tire, with the top of the figurehead’s head facing the tire. If you see any portion of the tire covering the figurehead, your tires are safe for driving and have the appropriate amount of tread remaining. If you see the entire figurehead, it’s time to invest in new tires.

It’s important to check in multiple areas for tire tread and on each tire. Improper alignment, mismatched tires, and other factors can cause irregular wear on your tires. Some tires may lose tread in certain areas faster than others. Fortunately, when we fit new tires on your vehicle, we can pair that service with alignment and other adjustments to ensure proper tire wear patterns.

Built-In Tread Wear Indicators

Depending on your tires, you should have tire tread wear indicators. You will see small, raised bars intersecting the channels. These bars are your tread wear indicators. If your tire tread wears down to the point where it is even with your indicators, it’s time for new tires. As with the coin method, always check all your tires and in multiple locations around each tire for proper wear.

Tire Tread Depth Gauge

The most accurate way to determine tire tread depth is by using a tire tread depth gauge. This has a blade that resembles a flat-head screwdriver with a gauge on the other side. They come in manual and digital and will give you an accurate, official reading to help you plan for when it’s time to purchase new tires. Of course, we can always help you check your tire tread depth as well with any appointment you schedule at Tire Pirates.

Schedule Your Tire Replacement

Tires are unfortunately overlooked when it comes to taking care of our vehicles. Make sure you’re always safe on the road with a new set of tires from Tire Pirates. Contact us today to schedule your appointment for new tires in Calgary. We carry a wide variety of tires for all makes, models, and styles of vehicles.