Knowing the tread depth of your commercial steer tires and when to replace them is important for both your safety and for meeting steer tire regulations. A worn tire tread is dangerous for anyone driving in adverse weather conditions like rain or snow, but especially for heavy commercial vehicles.
The minimum tread depth for steer tires can depend on who you ask. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the Department of Transportation (DOT), and the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) all have their own regulations and guidelines in place.
Both the FMCSA and the DOT tread depth regulations agree that you must have a minimum tread depth of 4/32 inches on your steer tires.
Within Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), 49 CFR 393.75(b), The DOT requires that “Any tire on the front wheels of a bus, truck, or truck tractor shall have a tread groove pattern depth of at least 4⁄32 of an inch when measured at any point on a major tread groove. The measurements shall not be made where tie bars, humps, or fillets are located.”
This regulation ensures your steer tires have enough traction on the road during rainy or snowy weather. Choosing not to follow these rules could create unsafe driving conditions and lead to your driver being issued a citation.
NOTE: The same measuring guidelines apply to drive and trailer tires, however, the minimum tread depth should instead be 2/32 of an inch.
Different from the FMCSA and the DOT, the CVSA states that if the steer tire tread depth is lower than 2/32 of an inch in two adjacent tread grooves, then the vehicle is required to be taken out of service until the tire can be replaced. Out-of-service vehicles are also subject to FMCSA citations, and each violation must be taken care of before the vehicle can be used again.
NOTE: The minimum tread depth for drive and trailer tires is 1/32 of an inch when measured in any two adjacent grooves at three different locations (at least 8 inches apart around the circumference of the tire).
One of the most common and accurate ways to check the tread depth of your commercial steer tires is with a tread depth gauge. However, some commercial, light truck, and performance tires actually come fitted with tread wear indicator bars—placed between the ribs of the tread at 2/32 of an inch, these bars allow you to check if the tread is in line with the indicator.
Are you looking for regular, worry-free tread depth inspections? Wonderland Tire offers an informative tire inspection system for fleets that includes tread depth checks, air pressure checks, flat repairs, and more! Our 30+ years of experience and rigorous inspection specifications—customized for your fleet—will not only save you money but will ensure that all your vehicles are completely safe and ready for the road. Contact your nearest Wonderland Tire Location for a quote or schedule your service today!
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