Tire Inspection Guide

Whether you’re gearing up for a road trip or want to winterize your vehicle, keeping up with routine service can prevent incidents out on the Queens streets. As your only point of contact with the Staten Island roads, making sure your tires are in good shape is critical for safe travels. Luckily, the Bay Ridge Volkswagen service team is here to answer questions like, “How do I check tire tread?” and will teach you how to check tire pressure in our tire inspection guide below!

How to Check Tire Pressure

Ensuring that your tire pressure is appropriate for your vehicle is vastly important. However, you don’t simply want to head to your local gas station and add a random amount of air to your tires when they look like they’re getting low. Rather, you need to learn how to check tire pressure to make sure your tires aren’t underinflated or overinflated. Underinflated tires can wear out unevenly and are susceptible to blowouts. Overinflated tires can also be prone to failure, so it’s best to stay within the recommended range. Learn how to check your tire pressure here:

• Remove the valve stem cap from the air valve on your tire.
• Press the gauge down on the valve stem and hold it in place.
• Take note of the pressure reading and compare it to the recommended tire pressure (found on your door jamb).
• Adjust each tire as needed. You can use the backside of the gauge to press down on the valve stem and remove air if the tire is overinflated. If your tires are low, you can slowly add air until you’ve reached the proper level. 
• Tighten the valve stem cap on each tire. 

How Do I Check Tire Tread Depth: The Penny Test

Checking the tread of your tires is also a wise step during any tire inspection. If your tread depth is too low (below 2/32 of an inch), you can lose vital traction and handling capabilities on the Bronx streets. With that in mind, you’re likely wondering, “How do I check tire tread?” A simple trick is to use a U.S penny to examine tread depth. Here’s how you do it:

1. Take your penny and insert it head-first into the tread groove of your tire. 
2. If you can’t see Lincoln’s head because it’s covered by the grooves, your tire tread depth is sufficient. 
3. If Lincoln’s head is visible, that means your treads are 2/32 inches deep or less. That means you’ll need to replace that tire. 
4. Check each tire in multiple places to inspect your tread wear. 

Other Ways to Check Tire Tread Depth

If you don’t have a penny handy, not to worry! There are many different ways to check the depth of your tire treads:

• Tread Depth Gauge: You can find a tread depth gauge at any local Brooklyn hardware store. This affordable tool eliminates the guesswork when it comes to checking your tire tread depth. All you need to do is insert the probe into the shallowest tread groove, then press the top bar of the gauge flat against the tire to get a reading. 
• Tread Wear Bars: Many tires have built-in tread wear indicators. You can find these bars in multiple locations around the tire. If the bars are flush with the tire tread around them, your tread depth is at 2/32 of an inch or lower. 

Turn to Bay Ridge Volkswagen for Complete Car Care

If you notice any irregularities as you inspect your tires, turn to Bay Ridge Volkswagen for guidance. You might simply need to add some air, or an irregular tread wear pattern may be indicative of a suspension issue. No matter what’s causing your tires to suffer, Bay Ridge Volkswagen will have an effective and affordable solution. You can contact us for a consultation or book a service appointment online. Be sure to explore our rotating service coupons before your next visit! Ready to learn more? Discover how to check your transmission fluid with our team.