WHAT ARE TIRE WEAR BARS & WHAT DO THEY DO?

WHAT ARE TIRE WEAR BARS & WHAT DO THEY DO?
WHAT ARE TIRE WEAR BARS & WHAT DO THEY DO?

Tire wear bars or tread wear indicator bars are the first point of indication about the tire condition in terms of wear and tear, play a significant role while assessing the tire condition, and help us to determine when we need new tires or whether our current tire meets the legal tire’s tread requirement or not.

WHAT ARE TIRE WEAR BARS?

Tire tear wear indicator bars are small and raise bars that are found in between the channel of the tires and between the tread markings, which are placed all around the tires at different points; the primary function of the wear bars is to illustrate a clear picture of the degree which a tire is being worn down and how much tread is left on the tires.

Tire Tears help to stabilize tires in slippery and wet conditions and allow us to provide a better grip and handling. Without them, it would be tough to control the tire, especially in corners cutting, and slopes, and one may find himself running out of control also can cause a tire blowout; that is why it is so important to check regularly tire wear bars. 

As they are used, tire footprints start to wear out during the tire life span. When the tread is down to a level which is assigned by the road and safety law which is 2/32″ of tread depth, it’s time to change the tires as, at this point of time, tires are not safe to use; however, it recommended to change tires sooner before the tread limit. 

Tread wear bars only show us a pictorial picture of the tire. However, the visual indication is estimated and does not provide precise measures; they only indicate a point where the tires need to be replaced. Consequently, further tread depth measurements are recommended.

HOW TO CHECK TIRE WEAR ON YOUR TIRES

Tire wear shows us the visual implication of tires, and conversely, if we want to know the exact depth of the tire, there are a few methods that are being used commonly to check the tread on your tires.

PENNY TEST

PENNY TEST
PENNY TEST

The penny test is quite simple. Take a penny with Ibrahim-Lincoln’s head overturned. Put it inside the grooves and among the tread. If Lincoln’s entire head is noticeable, the tread has worn out down lower than 1/16 of an inch and has to be changed. If the peak of his head is somewhat covered, your tires may have a little tread left.

If someone commonly drives in wet conditions due to rains, it’s highly suggested to leave a little more extra tear on tires for safety. In wet conditions, you can check tread level using a quarter instead of a penny. One may need to replace tires more frequently in these circumstances, but helping avoid an accident is worth it.

MEASURE WITH A TREAD DEPTH GAUGE

MEASURE WITH A TREAD DEPTH GAUGE
MEASURE WITH A TREAD DEPTH GAUGE

To check tire condition, we can use the Tread Depth Gauge test. We need tread gauges readily available in parts stores for a few bucks to perform this test. To check tire condition, we will use a rule with 1/16th of an inch for marking in millimeter measure, place the gauge ruler into the tire channel and study from the downside to the current level. If the tire is at or less than 1/16″ inch, it’s time to replace it.

Similar Posts