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Old Jul 30, 2004 | 11:49 AM
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Okay, I give up... how do you measure the remaining tread on a tire?
In the parts section I always see people with used tires with 5/10ths or 7/10ths tread remaining. How do you measure that?
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Old Jul 30, 2004 | 11:55 AM
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Originally Posted by bsmith
Okay, I give up... how do you measure the remaining tread on a tire?
In the parts section I always see people with used tires with 5/10ths or 7/10ths tread remaining. How do you measure that?
'
Parts store and buy a tire tread gauge.
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Old Jul 30, 2004 | 11:57 AM
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Two ways are possible. Some tires have wear bars, molded bars that span the tread but are recessed such that when they are exposed then it's time to reshod.

The old, tried and true penny method can be used in lieu of wear bars. Insert the penny so that Lincolns head is toward the tire. If the tread doesn't meet his hair, it's time to retread.
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Old Jul 30, 2004 | 12:01 PM
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Default Tire Question

As a general rule measurements are in 32nds. of an inch. Most manufacturers consider the tire worn out when the remaining tread reaches 2/32 of an inch. You should be able to buy a tread depth gauge at any auto parts store. Tread wear indicators built into most modern tires indicate when the tire is ready to be replaced.
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Old Jul 30, 2004 | 12:30 PM
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Originally Posted by tbrowne
As a general rule measurements are in 32nds. of an inch. Most manufacturers consider the tire worn out when the remaining tread reaches 2/32 of an inch. You should be able to buy a tread depth gauge at any auto parts store. Tread wear indicators built into most modern tires indicate when the tire is ready to be replaced.
:blush:
I actually meant 32nds not 10ths... work was seeping into my head

thanks though, I didnt realize they had tread depth gauges at parts stores.
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Old Jul 30, 2004 | 02:58 PM
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Originally Posted by tbrowne
As a general rule measurements are in 32nds. of an inch. Most manufacturers consider the tire worn out when the remaining tread reaches 2/32 of an inch. You should be able to buy a tread depth gauge at any auto parts store. Tread wear indicators built into most modern tires indicate when the tire is ready to be replaced.
Most tire co. web sites will give you the "new statistics" for each tire, including tread depth. Most tires for your car will start with either 9/32 or 10/32 of tread depth. Assume that the new tire started with 10/32 and is considered worn out at 2/32. That means that you have 8/32 of usable tread. If you buy a used tire with 4/32 of usable tread left, then the tire has 50% of it's life left.
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Old Jul 30, 2004 | 03:13 PM
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You can get a really nice tire guage at AutoZone!
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Old Jul 30, 2004 | 05:04 PM
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Originally Posted by RCK1999
Most tire co. web sites will give you the "new statistics" for each tire, including tread depth. Most tires for your car will start with either 9/32 or 10/32 of tread depth. Assume that the new tire started with 10/32 and is considered worn out at 2/32. That means that you have 8/32 of usable tread. If you buy a used tire with 4/32 of usable tread left, then the tire has 50% of it's life left.
This is true with perhaps one exception: If you have the OEM GY runflats, even at 4 or 5/32 you might consider replacement just to get rid of the damn things.
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Old Jul 30, 2004 | 06:21 PM
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Originally Posted by RVers
This is true with perhaps one exception: If you have the OEM GY runflats, even at 4 or 5/32 you might consider replacement just to get rid of the damn things.
We could even say that run-flats are worn out at 10/32. Been there, done that, won't go there again!
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Old Jul 30, 2004 | 06:50 PM
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You can buy a tire tread depth guage at any parts store. Or, just go to a tire store and have them measure it.
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