How bad do you let your tires get?
- Thread starter ZZman
- Start date
For me, it depends on how satisfied I was with the tires over the past miles and years. I have taken a couple sets of Michelins I was happy with down close to the wear bars, and other brands I replaced much earlier because they didn't inspire enough confidence in winter weather.
It's much easier now to buy a good tire with all the reviews available on line. The Tire Rack is my current favourite site for reviews.
It's much easier now to buy a good tire with all the reviews available on line. The Tire Rack is my current favourite site for reviews.
I might go down to the wear bars, but in the past, I've started looking for sales of my preferred tires before that happens.
Years ago, in my impoverished and credit-poor youth, I let a tire go too far and found myself stranded in a remote, rural down and had to spend the night in my car (with my lady friend who was not pleased) waiting for some services to become available. I promised myself that would never happen again.
Years ago, in my impoverished and credit-poor youth, I let a tire go too far and found myself stranded in a remote, rural down and had to spend the night in my car (with my lady friend who was not pleased) waiting for some services to become available. I promised myself that would never happen again.
Down to wear bars and then start shopping. I don't like to go much past that. Also any decent size cracking in them that will catch your fingernail is a no-go for me. My Tercel is about to get a new set because of sidewall cracking.
I find all seasons usually give up wet grip quite a bit before the wear bars, so usually I ditch those with ~4/32 on them... When I can break them loose rolling into the throttle in 3rd gear in my Focus in light rain I know they are done!
I had some BFG sport comp2's and they did well in the wet into and below the wear bars. I never did really hydroplane them, but my commute is on 55mph roads and I have no problems reducing my speed in heavy heavy rain.
Snow tires I retire from winter duty at the snow wear bars, 5/32, but sometimes burn the rest off in summers.
I had some BFG sport comp2's and they did well in the wet into and below the wear bars. I never did really hydroplane them, but my commute is on 55mph roads and I have no problems reducing my speed in heavy heavy rain.
Snow tires I retire from winter duty at the snow wear bars, 5/32, but sometimes burn the rest off in summers.
4wd
$50 site donor 2026
Getting lots of rain this week reminds me why between 40k-50k they are coming off - I like tread depth …
Might also only put 10k a year on them - so between screws removed and/or chipping etc …
Might also only put 10k a year on them - so between screws removed and/or chipping etc …
Nick1994
$100 site donor 2024
I get the itch for new tires and replace by 4/32" or 6 years at the latest. Worn/old tires ride like crap.
Although my Genesis did wear rear tires really fast so I took those down to nearly bald. Only 15k miles.
Although my Genesis did wear rear tires really fast so I took those down to nearly bald. Only 15k miles.
Even in the winter time?
- Joined
- Jul 19, 2021
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Down to the wear bars or where they're starting to dry rot.
much past 50% and I'm looking for sales
I value my life a bit more I guess and try to avoid needless risk whenever necessary. As a result I do not wait until the wear bars nor "Beyond". Especially with winter tires which get dramatically worse as they wear.
I start looking at replacements when the ride has gotten noticeably rough and the car gets loose pretty easily on worn asphalt or wet concrete. That's usually around 4/32.
Down to 3-4/32, heavy sidewall cracks, or to when they don't hold air anymore or wobble.
I've got a used Toyo that I got with 5/32 and minor tread cracks. Put it on the front of my prius to "finish it off" and it's only at 4/32 12k miles later.
I've got a used Toyo that I got with 5/32 and minor tread cracks. Put it on the front of my prius to "finish it off" and it's only at 4/32 12k miles later.
For my personal cars? Until they blow. JK. But they would have to be close, like a bubble that's causing shake or vibration or cords showing through. If it's just worn, I can drive something else if it's raining, no reason to replace yet. For something I'm selling, I make sure they are very good and a matching set if possible, or at least a matching pair on either side of the car.
Wear bars and I start looking. I put a high value on traction in the wet since we get a lot of rain in the SE US and I rarely drive on surface streets.
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The last set I replaced had a bulge, worn through the steel belt, and was thumping going down the road. They said 40k, I got 35k. In all fairness it was on the inside which was a first for me.
Wife and kids will get replaced before they pose any reduction in performance or safety.
Wife and kids will get replaced before they pose any reduction in performance or safety.
