While tires may not be the most exciting part of a car, they are one of the most important. Checking a cars tires should be ...

But once tread depth reaches 2/32", the tire is considered legally worn-out in most U.S. states. Read more: 5 Of The Coolest Cars From American Graffiti The Reasoning Behind 32nds Of An Inch ...

The tire tread depth is the measurement between the groove (the gap between the patterned rubber) and the top of the tire tread. For new tires, this depth is usually 10/32 or 11/32 inches (8 or 9 mm).

A tire with a half-tread depth usually has 5/32 to 6/32 of an ... To monitor your tire’s tread depth, buy a tread-depth gauge from an auto parts store or simply use a quarter to judge whether ...

While most new tires have a tread depth around 10/32nds of an inch, the tread wears down over time. This makes it more difficult to steer your vehicle, reduces traction and increases braking time.

Regardless of your tread depth, the tire should be replaced, as dry rot can cause the tire to blow out. Related Video: Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews.

More accurate tire tread measurement methods, such as drive-over gauges, laser readers, and tire tread depth scanning via mobile phones, are used less than 10% of the time. Tread information isn ...