How to Check for Tread Wear on a Tire on a Dodge Durango

If you own a Dodge Durango, you know how much fun and useful this large to midsized SUV can be. The Dodge Durango's four-wheel-drive makes it especially important to check tread wear on all four tires. Here's how to limit the chances of getting stuck when you go off-roading by checking the tire tread before you set out.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tread wear gauge

1. Look on one of the tires to see if you have tread wear indicators. Look at the sidewall for the initials "TWI" and an arrow pointing at the tread wear indicator running the width of the tire. This is a spot on the tire that will be smooth if the tread depth is too shallow. This is barely visible beneath the tread.

2. Check the legal amount of tread required by your state's department of transportation, or contact your Dodge dealership and ask what the legal tread depth specification is for your Durango. Generally, however, the legal minimum is 2/32" (1.6 mm), but a minimum of 3/32 is recommended for safety.

3. Pick up a tread wear gauge from your local automotive store. This should be located in the tools next to the tire pressure gauges or possibly next to the valve stems.

4. Insert the tread wear tool into the crease of the tread. Start at one edge of the tire and take five or six measurements across the width of the tire tread. Note the lowest measurement as this indicates the least amount of tread.

5. Repeat this action for all four tires, especially since your Durango is a four-wheel-drive vehicle. Note any uneven wear or common tread wear between multiple tires. This may indicate alignment problems or tire balance problems.

6. Change any tires on your Durango without enough tread. 265/60-18 and 265/50-20 are both typical sizes that you'll find on your Durango, but check your wheel dimensions and ask your tire installer for the proper size tires for your model.