Measure the tread groove nearest the center of the tire at three locations equally spaced around the circumference of the tire (exclusive of tie bars or for those tires with tread wear indicators).

How to Check Tire Tread Although the ideal way to check tire tread wear is with a tread-depth gauge, you can get by with what’s known as the “penny test” or just using your fingers.

The tread wear indicators which look like narrow strips of smooth rubber across the tread, will appear on the tire when the point of wear is reached. When you get to this point, you need new tires.

Place the quarter upside down in a tire groove with a treadwear indicator—raised bars within some grooves. They will appear flush with the tread when the tire is worn out.

If you see all of Washington’s head in any one groove where a treadwear indicator appears, you might want to start shopping for new tires while you have some seasonal grip left.

Tires with an 80,000-mile treadwear warranty and UTQG treadwear grade of 720 that wear evenly on all four tires down to treadwear indicators of 2/32-inch during first half of the warranty (up to ...