| Fig. 1: Tread wear indicators are built into the tire
tread and appear as bands when the tire is worn.
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All tires made since 1968, have 7 built-in tread wear indicator bars that show up as 1⁄2 in. (6mm) smooth bands across the tire when 1⁄16 in. (1.5mm) of tread remains. The appearance of tread wear indicators means that the tires should be replaced. In fact, many states have laws prohibiting the use of tires with less than 1⁄16 in. (1.5mm) tread.
You can check your own tread depth with an inexpensive gauge or by using a Lincoln head penny. Slip the Lincoln penny into several tread grooves. If you can see the top of Lincoln's head in 2 adjacent grooves, the tires have less than 1⁄16 in. tread left and should be replaced. You can measure snow tires in the same manner by using the tails side of the Lincoln penny. If you can see the top of the Lincoln memorial, it's time to replace the snow tires.
| Fig. 2: Check the tread depth with a tire gauge
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| Fig. 3: A penny can also be used to approximate tread
depth. If the top of Lincolns head is visible in two adjacent grooves,
replace the tire.
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