Originally Posted By: Russell
Originally Posted By: AHC
Consumer reports says that performance deteriorates at around 5/32nds.
“Unfortunately, 2/32 of an inch may be too late if you drive in rain or snow. Based on our tests of new and half-tread-depth tires, you may want to consider replacing the ones on your car or truck closer to the 5/32-inch groove depth that marks the half-tread point on many tires.”
I agree if you are going into the winter with rain/snow and ice. Not so sure if you are just going into summer with 5/32s left. They have a little life left. Unfortunatly, I did the opposite. Never again.
BTW, I repaced my wife's tires on her Explorer with Michelins because they were over 5 years old yet had sidewall cracking and plenty of tread because I wanted her to be safe as possible. I thought I was fine with my car. Wrong!
Having almost bald tires is really nice for handling and performance in dry conditions. Steering response can be really, really nice. Sucks in wet conditions though.
California has a legal requirement of 6/32" depth from tread to bottom of a major groove to meet "snow tread tire" requirements. This basically means any all-season or winter tire with an M+S rating plus enough tread, and it applies to bypassing California's R1, R2, or (almost always means the road is completely closed) R3 chain conditions. I've been through several chain checkpoints in California, and the inspectors (usually a Caltrans employee but once a National Park Service law enforcement Ranger) always eyed the front left tire before letting me go in my Subaru. I've heard of simple gauges to measure the groove, but I've never seen one pulled out before. I guess they'll pull it out if they suspect it's well under the requirement. I had one that was pretty close and I thought I might have gotten measured.
I don't know why 6/32". Always seemed rather arbitrary.
Originally Posted By: AHC
Consumer reports says that performance deteriorates at around 5/32nds.
“Unfortunately, 2/32 of an inch may be too late if you drive in rain or snow. Based on our tests of new and half-tread-depth tires, you may want to consider replacing the ones on your car or truck closer to the 5/32-inch groove depth that marks the half-tread point on many tires.”
I agree if you are going into the winter with rain/snow and ice. Not so sure if you are just going into summer with 5/32s left. They have a little life left. Unfortunatly, I did the opposite. Never again.
BTW, I repaced my wife's tires on her Explorer with Michelins because they were over 5 years old yet had sidewall cracking and plenty of tread because I wanted her to be safe as possible. I thought I was fine with my car. Wrong!
Having almost bald tires is really nice for handling and performance in dry conditions. Steering response can be really, really nice. Sucks in wet conditions though.
California has a legal requirement of 6/32" depth from tread to bottom of a major groove to meet "snow tread tire" requirements. This basically means any all-season or winter tire with an M+S rating plus enough tread, and it applies to bypassing California's R1, R2, or (almost always means the road is completely closed) R3 chain conditions. I've been through several chain checkpoints in California, and the inspectors (usually a Caltrans employee but once a National Park Service law enforcement Ranger) always eyed the front left tire before letting me go in my Subaru. I've heard of simple gauges to measure the groove, but I've never seen one pulled out before. I guess they'll pull it out if they suspect it's well under the requirement. I had one that was pretty close and I thought I might have gotten measured.
I don't know why 6/32". Always seemed rather arbitrary.