Tread depth before replacing?

[AlexanderM]

At what tread depth do you usually end up replacing your tyres? I don’t wait for it to go to the minnnal legal limit. Generally speaking it’s good practice, although more expensive to replace at 3mm. You have more grip and control on the road especially when going around bends/corners.

 

[Heatman]

Well, from what I know, a lot of experts recommend replacing tires at 3mm. This is because at 3mm, the tire's ability to handle water and maintain grip significantly improves, reducing the risk of aquaplaning. Your safely is very important which is why I believe that's the right time to do it.

 

[flyfishCO]

We recently had a non-repairable blow out in the original factory tires with 17k miles on them. The spare was installed in place of the blown out tire. The question is- Do we use the spare and one other new tire and put them on the back wheels, or do we need to purchase four new tires? The missing information at moment is what is the existing tread depth on the tires with 17k miles on them. They were at 8/32" with 12k miles so I suspect they are less than 7/32" now (I am not with the car to measure myself). If we are going to need to replace all four tires, I am leaning towards the BFGoodrich KO3's (have them on my RAM 2500). We are at 9000' in the Colorado Rockies and drive regularly on dirt roads, and not infrequently on un-improved roads. Thoughts?

 

[mostfrantic]

Well, from what I know, a lot of experts recommend replacing tires at 3mm. This is because at 3mm, the tire's ability to handle water and maintain grip significantly improves, reducing the risk of aquaplaning. Your safely is very important which is why I believe that's the right time to do it.

what is this nonsense???

 

[mostfrantic]

At what tread depth do you usually end up replacing your tyres? I don’t wait for it to go to the minnnal legal limit. Generally speaking it’s good practice, although more expensive to replace at 3mm. You have more grip and control on the road especially when going around bends/corners.

The 1.6mm or 3mm tread depth is about driving and stopping in wet conditions. Generally you will have better water evacuation for less hydroplaning and better traction with more tread.