scanning tire tread with a mobile phone

How to Measure Tire Tread

Become a tire tread scanning expert

1. Receive training from an Anyline expert

The first step is to ensure you have received thorough training on how to use the tire tread scanner. An Anyline expert will arrange a comprehensive training session, guiding you through the entire process of successfully measuring your tire tread depth using the Anyline scanner. This session also gives you the chance to ask any questions, ensuring you’re fully prepared and confident before you begin testing the scanner on your own.

2. Request access to the Tire Tread Showcase App

To access the Tire Tread Showcase app, reach out to your contact from Anyline. You will receive an invite to download the Showcase app, together with a test license key.

3. Activate test license

To activate your test license, follow these steps

  1. Open the Showcase app
  2. Tap “Settings“
  3. Enter your license key manually in the field or scan the QR code of your license key
  4. Confirm and save by tapping “OK“

4. Configure app settings

To configure your app settings, open the showcase app and tap “Settings“.

Here are some settings you can configure:

  • Measurement system: The default measurement system is metric. To change the measurement system to imperial, check “Use Imperial System“

  • Scan speed: Select “Fast” for passenger car tires and “Slow” for heavy vehicle tires (trailer, steer, and drive tires)

  • Device compatibility mode (Android only): For Android devices with lower specifications, device compatibility mode can be enabled to improve measurement accuracy. To do so, check the box “Device Compatibility Mode”, and enter the tire width when prompted to do so during the scan

To save your settings, tap “OK“

5. Measure tire tread

Before your start measuring your tire tread, take note of the following:

  • For Android devices only: Use the Device Compatibility Mode if your device has lower specifications

  • Ensure no other tires are visible during the scan apart from the tire you are measuring – especially if they are directly next to or stacked on top of each other. When scanning dual tires, focus solely on the selected tire

  • Ensure strong and stable internet connection

  • Ensure that the screen orientation lock setting of your OS is not active

 

Once you’ve entered your license key and finalized your settings, you’re ready to start the scan. Watch the video above for an in-depth tutorial on how to scan or follow the step-by-step guide in the next section.

NOTE: It’s perfectly normal if the first attempts are not successful. We recommend doing a few practice scans to get comfortable with the motion before conducting actual measurements.

Scanning Tips

Rely on haptic feedback

It may be difficult to look at the screen throughout the scanning process. Hence, haptic feedback is available to guide you throughout the scan.

 

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Here are the haptic feedback available and what they mean.

  • Strong vibration: A strong vibration will be delivered both at the start and the end of the scan
  • Slight vibration: During the scan, slight vibrations may occur if there are distance issues, signaling that your device is either too close or too far from the tire. If you feel these vibrations, gradually adjust the distance by moving your device closer or farther from the tire until the vibrations stop, indicating the distance has been corrected

PRO TIP: Perform a practice scan without looking at the screen and familiarize yourself with the haptic feedback (vibrations).

Capture only one tire

Ensure that only ONE tire is visible in the frame during the scan to avoid inaccurate readings.

 

 

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The tire tread scanner measures the tread depth of only one tire at a time, so it’s crucial that no other tires are in the frame. This is especially important when scanning dual, stacked, or side-by-side tires.

Enable device compatibility mode (Android only)

If your Android device has lower specifications, enabling device compatibility mode can improve measurement accuracy.

6. Interpret results

If your measurement was successful, you will be redirected to the results page.

Depending on the measurement system selected in the settings, the tread depth will either be displayed in mm or 32″.

Here is a description of what each value means:

  • Top of Page Value: The value displayed at the top of the page represents the global tread depth of the entire tire. This value is calculated based on over 100,000 individual measurements across the tread and gives an indication of the condition tire by displaying the most representative value. The top of page value may not always correspond to the lowest tread depth value on the tread surface.
  • Bottom of Page Values: The values displayed at the bottom of the page represent the tread depth of each zone on the tire. It does not represent the measurement of individual grooves. The distribution of the zones can be seen in the heatmap below.

  • To view the heatmap on your device, tap “Details“

Comparing your results with a manual gauge

Read this article on how to cross-check Anyline’s results with a manual gauge,

NOTE: Anyline’s tire tread scanner captures over 100,000 measurement points, whereas a manual gauge measures just a single point. Hence, comparing the results from these two methods may not provide a fully accurate representation.