Tread-wear indicators - Automotive Dictionary

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Components on a tire’s tread designed to visually indicate when the tread has worn down to a certain depth. See

Tread-wear indicators

Alternative Meanings:

Tread-Wear Indicators
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Tread-Wear Indicators are small bars or ridges of hard rubber that are built into the tread grooves of tires. These indicators serve as visual cues to help determine when the tire's tread depth has worn down to the legal limit or is nearing it. Here are the key points about tread-wear indicators:
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1. Appearance and Location:
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- Tread-wear indicators typically appear as small bars or raised sections across the tread grooves.
- They are strategically placed within the tread pattern and are usually evenly spaced around the circumference of the tire.
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1. Purpose:
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- The primary purpose of tread-wear indicators is to indicate when the tire's tread depth has worn down to the legal limit, which is typically 1.5 mm (1/16 inch) above the base of the tread.
- When the tire tread wears down to the level of the tread-wear indicators, it signals that the tire has reached the end of its usable life and should be replaced.
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1. Visibility:
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- Tread-wear indicators are initially hidden within the tread grooves when the tire is new and has sufficient tread depth.
- As the tire wears down over time and miles of use, the tread depth decreases, eventually exposing the tread-wear indicators.
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1. Legal Limit and Compliance:
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