Date Posted: Sep 25, 2026

With a rich and storied history of over 90 years of providing exceptional service to customers throughout the greater Chicago area, Wentworth Tire is the go-to solution for SUVs, light trucks, cars, and commercial vehicles needing brand-name tires. Our customer-centric focus means we are subject-matter experts on brands like Bridgestone, Firestone, Goodyear, Michelin, Continental, Pirelli, Toyo, and Yokohama, among many others.

As an independent Chicago-area tire and vehicle service company, we know how important it is to have well-maintained tires. From improved fuel efficiency and control to reducing the risk of accidents, tires with good tread that are properly inflated are essential to safety and performance.

So, how do you know your tire tread depth is acceptable? Are there simple steps on how to measure the tread? We’ll answer both questions, and more, while also showing you how to check tire tread with a penny.

What Causes a Tire’s Tread to Wear Out?

Before explaining how to check the tire tread with a quarter or a penny, it’s important to first understand what causes a tire's tread to wear out. First, every tire eventually sees its treads wear out. It’s part of normal driving. However, tires are designed to last a specific amount of time, and improper use or poor maintenance will reduce the tire’s life.

• Improper wheel alignment
• Not rotating tires regularly
• Towing heavy loads
• Aggressive driving
• Hard braking
• Driving on tougher terrains

One major cause of tire tread wear is poor wheel alignment. Not having your tires aligned regularly can make tire tread wear happen much faster. Another cause is having underinflated or overinflated tires, aggressive driving, towing heavy loads, not properly rotating your tires regularly, and hard braking and driving on rougher terrain.

Why Tire Tread Depth Matters

The treads on your tire help your vehicle grip the road. They are essential for control when braking, steering, and handling. The treads help channel water away from the tire so that road contact is improved. As these treads wear down, the tire loses the ability to channel water away. That’s when control becomes a problem during rain, snow, and on slippery roads.

• Good tire treads improve grip
• Treads channel water away from the tires
• Worn-out treads can’t channel water away properly
• Leads to loss of control in rain, snow, sand, and gravel

In extreme situations, bad treads in rainy weather can lead to hydroplaning – a process where the wheel slides on the surface of the water on the road, leading to serious control issues. Whether it’s dirt, sand, rain, or snow, bad treads make driving much more difficult.

How to Check Tire Tread with a Penny, Quarter and Tread Depth Gauge

One of the simplest ways to check your tire’s tread is to insert a penny into the tread with Lincoln’s head downward. If you can see all of Lincoln’s head, your tire tread is extremely worn and should be replaced.

The quarter test is a similar process. Insert a quarter with Washington’s head facing downward. If you can see all of Washington’s head, then your tire tread is getting low. It’s an early warning sign that you should start planning to replace your tires.

With both tests, if Lincoln and Washington’s heads are covered by the tread, then your tires have enough tread and don’t need to be replaced.

It’s a good rule of thumb to do the penny and quarter test regularly to ensure your tires have healthy treads.

Finally, a tread-depth gauge is also a great solution. It provides a much more accurate measurement. Simply place the probe portion of the gauge into the tire’s tread. Measurements are provided in 32nds of an inch.

Make sure to measure the inside, the center, and the outside tread on each tire. If you have different measurements from each location, then it could indicate problems with alignment or your tires not being inflated enough.

When Should You Replace Your Tires

At Wentworth Tire, we always tell customers to replace their tires when the tread goes below 3/32 of an inch. Performing regular tire tread tests is ideal for determining when your tires should be replaced, as the tests account for different driving types and road conditions.

Ultimately, any time your tires have any punctures, rips, cuts, cracks, or bulges, it’s essential to contact our team immediately for tire replacement. Our team can perform an inspection and ensure if your tires should be replaced.

Schedule Tire Service with Wentworth Tire

At Wentworth Tire, our team provides tire inspections, tire rotations, alignment, balancing, and repair services. Our new tires are exceptionally competitive, and we are the go-to solution for drivers of all vehicles wanting the best-performing tires for their vehicles and driving habits.

If you have questions about your tires or feel your tire treads are wearing down, contact us now.

Sources

https://www.wentworthtire.com/contact-us