How to Test Tire Tread Wear

Many people underestimate importance of regular tire maintenance. The tires on a vehicle are no less important than the motor or any other major component. Disregarding obvious symptoms such as a bumpy or wobbly ride can cause major decay to your all around suspension. in result costing you more money. This article will show you the steps in order self check the wear and tear of your tires in approximately 20 to 30 minutes per tire.

Things You'll Need

• Ruler
• Small flat stick (Popsicle stick)
• Hydraulic jack
• Jack stand
• Brick
• 4-way lug nut remover

Instructions

1. Park the vehicle on a flat landing versus a slopping driveway. Be sure there is maneuvering room on both sides. Activate your parking brakes for safety.

2. Loosen the lug nuts off of the first tire you plan to diagnose. Place a brick behind at least one of the back tires for safety.

3. Jack the vehicle up until the tire you are removing is about 3 inches off the ground. Finish removing the lug nuts that you have already loosened. Remove the tire completely. Place a jack stand under the car and near the hydraulic jack for safety.

4. Take a ruler and lay it flat on the removed tire in the horizontal position. Don't bend it to make it lay flat. Slide the ruler using one hand completely around the tire. The ruler should remain flush against the tire for the entire motion. If it does not, identify the places where there was gap in between the ruler and the tire. You can mark these areas with chalk. This exercise will diagnose if any part of your tire is uneven, which causes allot of wobbling.

5. Take your Popsicle stick and stick in between the tread of the tire. Mark a line to show how deep the stick went. In that same tread move the stick six inches and mark it again. Repeat this until you have went around the tire completely. You are trying to identify if there is any difference in depth. This is the most meticulous way to check tire tread wear. Move the stick to different tread slots to get full and accurate reading. If the results in steps 4 and 5 are inconsistent and showing unevenness you likely need new tires.

Tips & Warnings

• The front tires wear faster than the back tires, so you can split days or weekends when you're checking them.

• Find someone to assist you if you can.

• This requires some slightly heavy lifting. Be sure you can easily lift 50 pounds before you attempt this.