What Is the Required Tire Tread Depth by Law
Yes, you can easily find one online or at an auto parts store. Manual and digital options exist as well as plastic or metal devices. Some come with a tire pressure gauge. You can use the probe to measure the depth from the top rubber of the flattest groove on the tire. A review of the related list of government regulations shows that states are concerned about pneumatic, solid rubber and metal tires. Solid rubber tires are usually used on special equipment and are not approved for use on the road. Metal wheels are generally limited to agricultural equipment or industrial purposes and are not allowed on highways. This leaves the base tire inflated with air (air) to bear the load. You can measure the depth of truck tires using a tread depth chart for commercial vehicle tires. Different commercial vehicles will have different original tread depths. 34,000 lbs / 8 = 4250 lbs per tire / 11 inches = 386 pounds per inch. A vehicle`s performance depends on the vehicle itself – brakes, engine, weight and powertrain have a huge impact on a vehicle`s handling.
But no matter how your vehicle performs, its tires can make a difference in terms of handling and safety. The right tires make a big difference, but no matter what type of tire you have, tread depth is crucial to your car`s performance. Commercial vehicle operators have a special relationship with the tires of their vehicle. Tires are expensive, but fines and other costs for operating with a defective or dangerous tire can be much more expensive. There are 3 exceptions to California`s minimum tread depth law: The tire must meet vehicle requirements based on tire labeling. Finally, do not mix radial and bipolis tires. The two types of tires behave differently and can lead to poor, unpredictable and dangerous handling under different conditions. In California, a main groove is a circumferential groove.4 These often have profile wear indicators. These indicators are flatter sections of the tread groove. They can be used to visually determine tire wear. A worn tread can be dangerous in harsh driving conditions.
This is particularly problematic for commercial vehicles that run in rain or snow. Significant tire tread wear can lead to tire bursting. In 2019, 612 fatalities were attributed to tire crashes, according to NHTSA. In a box to a high-performance tire test in the November issue, CR urges consumers to insert an American quarter with George Washington`s head into a tread groove. “If your profile doesn`t cover Washington`s hairline, it`s time to buy new tires,” the magazine said. There is no national law regulating minimum tread depth, but 42 states consider 2/32 inches to be the legal minimum tread depth. California and Idaho consider 1/32 a minimum, and Arkansas, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Carolina and West Virginia do not have tread depth standards. To test the depth of the tire treads on the steered axle – usually the front wheels – drivers can use the neighborhood test. In this test, a 25-cent coin is used. Motorists can line up the room to look at George Washington`s head. The driver grabs the part by George Washington`s neck and can slip it into one of the circumferential grooves on the tire.
The distance between the edge of the coin and the tip of George Washington`s head is 4/32 inch. If his entire head protrudes on the sides of the groove, the groove is too flat. The tire does not comply with vehicle code 27465(b). If you find that your tires are too low, refuel at the right pressure. Don`t assume that “more is better.” There are also problems of overinflation. If a tire has too much air, it doesn`t have as much surface in contact with the pad. This makes manipulation difficult. This also increases the risk of eruption. At high speed, a rash can be fatal. Irregular tread depth may mean that the vehicle`s orientation is not correct. This could result in tire removal earlier than expected and indicate other equipment problems. Does this mean your tires are safe if they have 1/32 in AC, or even safe with 3/32 if you are in Texas? No! Meeting government requirements doesn`t mean your tires are as safe as they can be.
Most tire repair shops, safety experts, and industry publications recommend replacing your tires if they reach no less than 4/32 inches. In an annual Roadcheck flash from the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), “19% of the 11,910 vehicles taken out of service had suffered tire and wheel violations.” Be careful when measuring the depth of your tread. Place the penny in several places around the tire. It is not uncommon to have uneven wear of the profile. Measuring in multiple places will compensate for this. For non-motor vehicles, the tread depth must be at least 1/32 of an inch.3 Yes, it is not safe to drive with worn tires.
