At what tread depth do you change your tyres?

[LewisStuart]

Just a thought I had while reading lordrobs thread

Do you wait untill the tyre hits 1.6mm?
Do you change at 2mm or 3mm?
Do you wait untill all tread disappears?
When you feel the car not handling as it should?

I would normally take it to the legal limit myself.

 

[_PD_]

I'm not made of money! Just above legal limit!

My current tyres have been on for 10 years (low mileage!)

 

[Jez]

Until they get to the bits in between the tread

 

[Rotty]

about 2mm

 

[cymatty]

When I can see the steel wires inside.

No, kidding aside I change them near the legal limit.

 

[[TW]Fox]

3mm.

Changing tyres a bit early > aquplaning into a stationary car becuase I am a cheapskate with shocking tyres

 

[Alibaba99]

Change when there is around 2-2.5mm left.

Though the current 1.6mm limit is vastly better than the previous 1mm limit it is still way too low. The difference in aquaplaning resistance between a tyre with 1.6mm left and one with even 2mm is huge. Government vehicles have their tyres changed at 3mm for very good reasons.

 

[chrislusty]

Around 3mm but not too much lower as this makes interesting reading

 

[Siliconslave]

meh, DIY slicks for the win

 

[Glaucus]

the last set, I'm ashamed to say. Slow puncture due to canvas showing. Was trying to make them last till pay day. Also no problems in the wet which I found wired, although there was tread left on the outside.

But usually 1.6-2mm

 

[*Moangroan*]

There was that little piece on top gear or probably fifth gear on ch4/5 where they did a little test in the wet on tyres with 2/3mm and basically they were pap. They were saying the legal limit should be raised. I was a little surprised.

 

[thedazman67]

Roughly i change mine when there is 3mm of tread remaining

thedazman

 

[50/50]

I never had a car long enough driven far enough to actually need to change them!

 

[gobbo]

Around 3-4mm depending. My rears are about due for a change, as they've dropped down to about 3mm.

 

[Mickey_D]

When the tread wear indicators (the cross-tread bars) show.

 

[Berger]

Changed my last set when they started to feel poo in the wet, had over 2mm of tread left, wouldnt want to crash and burn because my tyres were poo despite being legal.

 

[Mackass]

On the topic of tyres...

My tyres seem a little flat, and I was wondering whether it's best to buy one of those tyre inflators from Halfords, or just do it at the Petrol Stations?

 

[CypherPunk]

Generally the gauges on petrol forecourt air compressors are rubbish. I’d go and buy a decent 2 barrel foot pump if I was you. Also it’s a good idea to check tire pressures weekly, it only takes a minute and can help improve fuel economy and reduce tire wear, don’t forget to check the spare as well.

 

[barnettgs]

I guess 1.6mm is not a target...it is the minimum law can accept. Maybe it should be raised but there are some people out there who drives their car slow and also anything above 1.6mm may be fine in rear but probably not in front.

 

[Mr Nice]

When I start aqua-plaining after some "light drizzle"