How do you tell how much tread is on your tires? I know this is a nub question but I'm trying to figure out when I should get my rear's replaced because Ive read that they get worn much quicker than the fronts. Also when you look for tires, what do you look for? What kind of patterns? Next tires I get I'm going to get all season I believe, I've never driven on a track, I've never gone above 110 and don't really need the performance tires. Anyone recomend anything specific and can someone explain what to look for etc and how to tell how much tread is left. Thanks

 

Get yourself a 'Tread Depth Gauge'. They're a handy and inexpensive tool used to measure your tire's depth of tread usually in increments of 32nds. of an inch.
Here where I live, the legal limit of tread wear is no less than 2/32nds of an inch. At that depth, the wear bars in the treads should show indicating replacement.
By that time tho, the performance of the tire is diminished considerably. I change mine with 3/32nds. or more tread left.

When replacing your tires , make sure the replacements match or better the specs of the OEM rubber.
C.

 

This is old school, but I have always used a penny. Put Lincoln's head in the tread upside down, if you can see his whole head (the tread doesn't cover any of it up) then it's time for new tires.

As far as patterns, the wear should be basically even across the tire, maybe slightly more worn on the edges due to some agressive cornering...