Tires: tire tred depths, passenger car tires, rubber manufacturers association

Question
Where can I find the Federal regulation for servicable tire tread depths?  I worked as a supervisor for a Walmart Tire Lube express, and was threatened with termination if I dident rotate a customers tires.  The front tires were 1/32 to 2/32.  I refused, now I don't have a job.

Answer
Bill,

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16854703

http://www.dunntire.com/pages/learning-center/Recommended-Tread-Depth/

I've provided a copy of links to artcles about tread depth.

Summary:  There is no federal law that governs passenger car tires.  There are state laws and they are all over the map.

HOWEVER, it is the industry standard of 2/32nds:

http://www.rma.org/publications/tire_service_professionals/index.cfm?Publication

This is a publication by the Rubber Manufacturers Association.  On page 16 they say to replace tires worn to 2/32nds.  This constitutes an "Industry Standard", which is a legal term for something that everyone should comply with in the absence of a regulation.

WalMart would be well served to adopt a standard concerning what is allowable and what is not - and have that clearly stated so the consumer knows what WalMart's policy is.