The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)’s 2012 study “Tire-Related Factors in Pre-Crash Phase” shows the direct correlation of low tire tread depth and the increased likelihood of being involved in an accident.
Most passenger car tires begin with 9 or 10/32” of usable tread; light truck tires and winter tires may have more. The amount of tread is especially important on wet roads because the tread grooves help displace water to maintain road contact. You can see how treadwear impacts stopping distance illustrated below.*
*The Michelin Premier tire lines do not follow the stopping distance portion of the above image, as they're designed with technology for like-new performance to 2/32nds of an inch.
Shop Michelin TiresFriction slowly eats away your tire’s tread. More treadwear means more distance required to come to a stop, especially in wet conditions. This is why hydroplaning is more common on worn tires. Naturally, this effect is far more dramatic in winter weather when snow and ice are more prevalent.
Performance decreases significantly once tread depth drops to 4/32’’. Tires this worn are unsuitable for wet or snowy conditions. Discount Tire follows industry standards to recommend replacing tires worn to 4/32’’ and below.
Tires worn to 2/32” present a serious safety risk and are in fact considered legally bald in most states.
For your safety, we won't service tires worn to 2/32nds and below.
We recommend checking your tire’s tread depth at least once a month and before long road trips. You can perform a penny test to check your tread depth or bring your vehicle into your nearest Discount Tire, where we’ll check for free!
If you're ready for new tires, we recommend starting with Treadwell, our tire buying guide, to instantly be paired with the best tires for you, your vehicle, and your budget. Be sure to buy and book online to save time!