Car tyre repairs can only be carried out by a tyre specialist and in accordance with the UK standard AU159 in force. Permanent repairs can only be done after the tire has been removed from the wheel to allow for thorough inspection both inside and outside to ensure there is no hidden damage that could lead to catastrophic failure. There are 3 exceptions to the California Minimum Tread Depth Act: California law requires a minimum tread depth for inflatable tires on all vehicles. The minimum tread depth depends on the tire and groove: tire treads are usually symmetrical, directional or asymmetrical. Overall, the tire profile consists of up to five main components. These include: Accurate measurement of tread depth and tire pressure with regular tire changes has a positive effect on the operation of the commercial fleet. This also applies to alignment monitoring. Monitoring your driver`s aggressive and risky practices can also help improve overall tire health and optimize vehicle performance. Used tyres with worn tread depths of up to 4 mm start swimming at 63 km/h, while new winter tyres resist the aquaplaning effect until the speedometer needle reaches the 87 km/h mark. Tyre fitting and repair should only be carried out by a qualified tyre specialist who has the necessary equipment and expertise. Improper installation can lead to driver injuries and damage to tires and rims. Wheels should be balanced or replaced based on tire pressure. Tread depth information can help answer the question “Which tires are best for my fleet?” Manufacturers have developed application-specific tires to achieve operational savings and improve performance.
The depth of the truck`s tires may be a factor. For example, as trailer rental company Boxwheel notes, “For long distances, it`s important to have tires that offer longer wear and low rolling resistance. If you drive primarily locally, thicker treads and specially designed sidewalls can help protect a tire from the risk of additional punctures and issues such as the “curb.” At the same time, however, in some European countries, such as Austria, winter tyres with a residual tread depth of less than four millimetres are legally considered summer tyres and are no longer even allowed to drive on certain roads. There is no national law regulating minimum tread depth, but 42 states consider 2/32 inches to be the legal minimum tread depth. California and Idaho consider 1/32 a minimum, and Arkansas, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Carolina and West Virginia do not have tread depth standards. It is important that the rim and tyre dimensions comply with the tyre manufacturer`s recommendations and that the assembly is approved equipment for the vehicle concerned. When replacing tubeless tires, the valves must be replaced or maintained. When checking or adjusting the air pressure, always make sure that the valve is not leaking. A new cap of the gasket type must be attached. Tire tread can affect the safety and performance of your vehicle while driving. While you may not think about your tread every time you drive, it`s important to check back from time to time to make sure your tires are in good condition.
Are you ready to talk about tire tread depth? Let`s dive in. A tread depth gauge is the most accurate tool. Some light truck, commercial and performance tires are equipped with tread wear indicator bars. Recessed between the ribs of the tread at 2/32 inch, you can see if the tread is flush with the indicator bar. Simply easy. All you need to check the tread depth of your tire is a penny. Stick the penny with Abraham Lincoln`s head on the head. When Abe`s tip of the head appears, it`s time for new tires.
Tamara shows you how to do it in this video. Tread depth assessment can also provide important information about the installation. Firestone notes the following. In Texas, however, vehicles with tires with tread depths of less than 3/32 inches cannot pass state-mandated safety inspections, according to Phillip Nussbaum, president of A to Z Tire & Battery Inc. in Amarillo, Texas. Tread depth safety often depends on seasonal conditions, applications and even the customer`s budget, he said. In order to determine how tread depth affects tire performance, the ADAC expert team conducted a test of 185/60 R14 tires in new condition (tread depth approximately 8 mm) and used condition (tread depth 7.5 to 4 mm). In its November issue, Consumer Reports recommended that consumers use a quarter instead of a penny to measure tread depth — a change that doubles the depth at which car owners should consider new tires from 2/32 to 4/32 inches. Many cars are now equipped with a temporary breakdown repair kit instead of a spare tire. Check the owner`s manual and remember that this is only a temporary repair, not a permanent one. Randy Jones, president and CEO of Tireman Auto Services Centers in Toledo, Ohio, said his technicians recommend changing tires in most cases because of uneven wear and significant tread depth.
You may not be used to thinking too deeply about the tread depth of tires. Nevertheless, the tread depth of commercial vehicles can have a real impact on the safety and success of the fleet. In this informative guide, you`ll learn how to check tire tread depth and get more tips for commercial drivers and fleet safety managers. The test procedure for tyre treads on other axles is similar. However, he uses the penny test instead. Motorists can grab a penny from Abraham Lincoln`s chest and slip his head into a circumferential groove. The distance between the edge of the penny and the tip of Lincoln`s head is 2/32 of an inch. If its entire head protrudes on the sides of the tire groove, the tread is too worn. The tread depth of the tire is too small for vehicle code 27465(b). Tire treads are designed to provide good grip on wet roads, but this usually decreases as a tire`s tread wears out or water depth increases.
The driver must take this into account and reduce his speed accordingly in wet conditions. If you have a tread depth indicator, use it to measure tread depth. Insert the probe rod into the groove and press the shoulders flush with the tread. Check the top of the meter to see the measurement. Alternatively, a small ruler can be used. Several winter tire models are equipped with winter tire wear indicators. If they emerge with the tread level, the tire is no longer suitable for winter driving conditions. In some places, they may also no longer be legally considered winter tires. If you have examined the tread depth of truck tires and found that the tread depth is uneven, you need to act. Depending on the extent of tread wear, you can turn the tires.
If not, remove them to ensure the driver`s safety on the road. Retreading is another option. Jones said his customers usually don`t worry about tread depth, but about symptoms like lack of traction or aquaplaning. The usual explanation is uneven wear, even if there is still some profile, he said. Be careful when measuring the depth of your tread. Place the penny in several places around the tire. It is not uncommon to have uneven wear of the profile. Measuring in multiple places will compensate for this. Tyres with a tread depth of 4 mm do not even reach half the performance of the new winter tyres. You can easily guess how well the tires perform with a minimum allowed tread depth of 1.6mm – they simply have nothing to bite into the snow.