Maintenance and service

Wear indicators

~1min read
1) New tread

1) New tread
2) Worn tread
3) Tread wear indicator

Each tire incorporates a tread wear indicator, which becomes visible when the depth of the tread grooves decreases to 0.063 in (1.6 mm). A tire must be replaced when the tread wear indicator appears as a solid band across the tread.

When a tire’s tread wear indicator

When a tire’s tread wear indicator becomes visible, the tire is worn beyond the acceptable limit and must be replaced immediately. With a tire in this condition, driving at high speeds in wet weather can cause the vehicle to hydroplane.

The resulting loss of vehicle control can lead to an accident.

Test yourself

A quick Subaru Forester quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.