Do you want to make sure your tires are safe for the road? According to the car care technicians at Privitt Auto Service Center in Columbia, MO, checking the treads of your tires can improve your driving ability in inclement weather conditions, thus increasing safety for yourself and your passengers. If you don’t think you know how to inspect your treads, head to your piggy bank and dump out some change to complete the task.

Check out these easy steps to guaranteeing your tire treads aren’t worn down too much for the safety of your automobile and your family:

• The Lincoln Test: Take one of those pennies from your change purse and stick it down into the treads of one of your tires. If Abraham Lincoln’s head is covered by the tread all the way around the tire, you have 2/32-inches of tread depth left.
• The George Test: Use a quarter to measure the treads on tires that aren’t quite as worn down as the Lincoln test requires. If George Washington’s head sinks down into the treads around the entire tire, it means you’re left with 4/32-inches of depth. 
• The Memorial Test: For those of you with newer tires, it’s never a bad idea to check the depth of your treads as well. Take out your penny again, and flip it around so the Lincoln Memorial is facing in your direction. If the top of the memorial is covered by the tread, there’s 6/32-inches of depth remaining.

So, what does it all mean? According to the law in the United States, tires are legally worn down when the treads are less than 2/32-inches in depth. But you’ll also want to keep an eye out for 4/32-inch tread depth, as this is a sign your car will have decreased traction during the rain and snow.

For assistance determining the tread depth of your tires, contact Privitt Auto Service by calling (573) 449-7941. You can also like them on Facebook for updates and helpful information, or follow them on Google+ for customer reviews.