How to Do a Tire Inspection

Your tires connect you directly to the road, and so they play a huge role in your car’s performance and safety. And while a great Acura dealer like Acura of Ocean is always happy to help you with professional tire inspections, you can also conduct your very own DIY tire inspection at home in Red Bank or Freehold. Learn how to check tire pressure and tread depth with tips from our service team, and be sure to visit us in Ocean for additional help!

How Do I Check Tire Tread?

For the first half of the tire inspection, how do I check tire tread depth? A new tire has a tread depth of about 10/32 or 11/32 of an inch, and you’ll need to change your tires when they reach 2/32 of an inch. At that level, your tread is too thin to effectively grip the road – leaving you vulnerable to skidding, damage, and even blowouts. Here are a few ways to check your tread:

• Tread Depth Gauge: Pick up an inexpensive gauge from a local parts department. Place the probe in the shallowest tread groove that you can find, press the top bar flat against the tire, and you’ll get an instant tread wear rating.
• Tread Wear Bars: Depending on your tires, you might have tread wear bars built into the bottom of your tread grooves. If you notice the bars flush with the ribs of the tire, it’s time to get a replacement set.
• Penny Test: You can also grab a penny and insert it upside-down into the tire tread groove. If Lincoln’s head is covered, you have plenty of tread. If you can see Lincoln’s head, your tread level is too low.

How to Check Tire Pressure

Next, you’ll want to check your tire pressure. Under or overinflated tires can cause real problems on the Asbury Park roads, and keeping your set in check is simple. Look at your owner’s manual or the driver’s side door jamb to determine your optimal tire pressure rating. If you have a tire pressure monitoring system, the system will alert you when your air pressure needs adjusting. But if you want to check your pressure manually, grab your tire pressure gauge and follow these steps:

• Remove the valve stem cap from the first tire.
• Press your tire pressure gauge into the valve stem.
• Hold the gauge in place until you get a reading. 
• Compare your reading to the manufacturer’s specifications. 
• Add or remove air as needed.
• Place the valve stem cap back.
• Repeat the process with all four tires.

Find Out More with Acura of Ocean

Want to schedule a professional tire inspection? Need to pick up a new tire pressure gauge? No matter your maintenance needs in the Ocean area, Acura of Ocean is the Acura dealer that can help you. Contact us for more information or stop by our dealership for assistance!