ASE G1 Auto Maintenance and Light RepairMaintenance and Light RepairEasy
A technician is performing a routine tire inspection. Which of the following conditions indicates that a tire needs to be replaced due to excessive wear?
- AThe tire pressure is 3 PSI below the manufacturer's specification.
- BThe tire's manufacturing date is less than five years old.
- CThe tread depth is less than 2/32 of an inch.
- DThere are minor scuff marks on the tire sidewall.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. The tread depth is less than 2/32 of an inch.
Excessive tire wear is primarily determined by tread depth. When the tread depth falls below 2/32 of an inch, the tire has reached its legal and safe limit for replacement.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Slightly low tire pressure indicates a need for inflation, not necessarily replacement.
- B. Tire age is a factor for replacement, but being less than five years old does not indicate excessive wear.
- D. Minor scuff marks on the sidewall are usually cosmetic and do not typically require immediate tire replacement.
Tire Tread Depth
The measurement of the remaining rubber on a tire's tread, crucial for traction and safety.
- Minimum legal tread depth is 2/32 inch in most regions.
- Tread wear indicators (wear bars) become flush with the tread when worn.
- Adequate tread depth is vital for water displacement and grip.
Memory trick: Tread's Low, Time to Go!