TM 9-2610-200-14
2-21
CHAPTER 2. CARE, MAINTENANCE, AND INSPECTION (Con't)
SECTION III. UNIT MAINTENANCE (Con't)
2-24. TREAD DEPTH MEASUREMENT (Con't).
b. USING A TREAD DEPTH GAGE.
Tire tread depth should be checked only with a tread depth gage (Item 22, Appendix B) .The gage folds
for easy storage in a pocket. The plunger tip (1) must be pushed all the way in before the gage is opened,
or the gage will be bent. The contact bar (2) can then be folded out to form a T. Gage scale markings (3)
are in 1/32
nd
inch increments. The tread depth gage is used to measure the tread depth at three equally
spaced points around the circumference of the tire. Take the first measurement adjacent to the valve
stem if tire is mounted or adjacent to size markings if tire is not mounted.
c. TREAD DEPTH MEASUREMENT.
(1) Military Tires.
The minimum tread depth for military tires is 4/32
nd
inch This dimension applies to both front
and rear tires. In most instances tread depth measurements for military tire will be taken by
measuring tread depth approximately 3/4 (19 mm) to 2 inches (5.1 cm) from the center line of
the tire, depending on the tire size (see Table 2-4, next page). Place contact bar of tread depth
gage parallel with tire center line and press down plunger until its tip touches the center of the
tread groove. The gage will indicate the tread depth.
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