How Do You Test Tire Tread With a Coin?

The condition of the tire tread on your vehicle can mean the difference between life, death, or serious injury. Every year, approximately 33,000 Americans are injured in tire-related accidents, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Association. Fortunately, such accidents can be prevented if you regularly check tire tread depth and change your tires if they’re not in optimal condition.

If you’ve been injured in a tire-related car accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact the experienced car accident lawyers at Munley Law.

Tire Tread Basics

What Is Tire Tread?

The tire tread is the part of the tire’s surface that touches the road. It’s designed to ensure  your vehicle maintains its grip on the road as you drive, whether accelerating, braking or turning. The surface of a tread is made up of four components: ribs, grooves, tread blocks, and sipes. Tire manufacturers arrange these components into different patterns to address particular driving needs. For example, winter tires have larger, deeper grooves than everyday tires, so they’ll handle ice and snow well.

Importance of Tire Tread Depth

As you drive, your tire treads begin to wear down and grow shallow, which can be hazardous. When your tire tread depth is insufficient, your car can’t grip the road well and can send you hurtling into another vehicle or object when you try to stop or turn. That’s why regularly measuring your tread depth is essential.

Tread depth measures the distance from the top of the tread rubber to the bottom of the tire’s deepest grooves. In the U.S., it’s typically measured in 32nds of an inch. Experts recommend replacing tires when the tread depth reaches 2/32nds of an inch, which is the legal minimum in many areas.

Types of Tire Tread Patterns

The three most common tire tread patterns consist of:

• Symmetrical Treads. This type of tire tread features a uniform pattern across the entire tire and is known for being durable, quiet, and long-lasting.
• Asymmetrical Treads. Asymmetrical treads, typically used on sports cars, combine different tread patterns to improve handling on both wet and dry roads.
• Directional Treads. Directional treads feature V-shaped patterns that displace water efficiently, making them great for driving in wet and dry conditions.

The right tread pattern depends on your tire performance needs, vehicle, and weather conditions. No matter which tread pattern you choose, remember to monitor your tire tread depth regularly.

DIY Tire Tread Measurement Methods

Coin Testing Techniques

One of the most effective methods is a simple coin test–a penny or a quarter will do.

The Penny Test

For the penny test, place a penny in a tread groove with Lincoln’s head upside down, then examine the visible part of the penny. Because the top of Lincoln’s head is 2/32nds of an inch from the edge of the penny, if the tread is at the same level as the top of Lincoln’s head, then the tread is too shallow. Try the penny tread depth test on different areas of your tire. If the test fails, it’s time for new tires.

The Quarter Test

The quarter test is similar to the penny test: Insert a quarter into your tire tread with Washington’s head upside down. This time, the tread depth is sufficient if it covers the top of his head. As with the penny test, use the quarter test on different parts of the tire. If you see any part of Washington’s head during the test, replace the tire.

Perform the penny or quarter test on your tires once a month to ensure optimal tread depth.

Advanced Tire Tread Assessment

Comprehensive Tread Evaluation Tools

Use more advanced tire tread depth assessments if you want more precise measurements.

Built-in Tread Wear Indicators

All Department of Transportation-regulated tires feature built-in tread wear indicator bars. These bars are small raised strips embedded between tread grooves. As you drive, they wear down along with the tire. When the wear indicators are at 2/32 of an inch, the tread will be level with them, and you’ll know it’s time for new tires.

Professional Tread Depth Gauges

A calibrated tire tread depth gauge provides exact measurements of tread depth in millimeters or 32nds of an inch, allowing you to know precisely how much tread is left.

Visual Inspection Techniques

Sometimes, a visual inspection of your tires can catch irregularities or problems that a tool or a coin test can’t. For example, you might see uneven or excessive wear patterns, cracks, or embedded debris that affect tire performance.

For the most comprehensive check, combine different approaches. Using a tread depth gauge and wear indicators yields the most accurate results. However, a penny test with a thorough visual inspection can alert you to other tire problems.

Safety Implications of Tire Tread Wear

Risks of Inadequate Tire Tread

Driving on tires with inadequate tread depth is risky for you and everyone else on the road. Shallow treads reduce traction and handling, making it harder to maintain control. Worn treads also increase stopping distances, which is especially dangerous in slick or low visibility conditions, even with winter tires.

Poor tread depth also increases your risk of hydroplaning. This phenomenon occurs when water builds up in front of your tires faster than your vehicle can push it aside, causing your vehicle to slide, skid, or lose contact with the road.

Don’t wait until your tires are completely bald–regularly check tread depth before they become a hazard.

Tire-Related Accident Injury Claims

Common Causes of Tire-Related Accidents

Many tire-related car accidents can result from sudden tire failure, including:

• Tread separation occurs when the tread separates from the casing or body of the tire.
• Blowouts often occur when tires are underinflated, overloaded, or punctured.

These tire failures can cause you to lose control of the vehicle, crash, rollover, or even trigger a multi-vehicle incident–all of which can result in serious injury.

Potential Liability Scenarios

Liability for a tire-related accident can arise from various factors, including:

• Manufacturer defects.
• Negligent maintenance.
• Improper tire installation.

If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident that may have been caused by defective tires or tire treads, contact Munley Law for a free consultation to understand your legal rights and potential compensation.