View Poll Results: Minimum tread depth before replacing tires.
4/32"
10
18.52%
3/32"
16
29.63%
2/32"
21
38.89%
1/32"
5
9.26%
Bald?
2
3.70%
Voters: 54. You may not vote on this poll
Minimum tire tread depth before replacement
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,325
Likes: 465
Minimum tire tread depth before replacement
How low do you guys let your tread depth get before replacing your tires? I my case no tracking and only drive when roads are dry, have OEM all seasons.
Popular Reply
Sep 19, 2023, 10:13 PM
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 2,015
Likes: 1,592
From: Clermont, Florida
Until wear indicators are almost flush with tread at lowest spot.
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I usually go between 3/32nds and 4/32nds.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 103
Likes: 99
From: Tn
Minimum Tire Tread Depth
Legally, the minimum tread depth is going to vary from state to state:
When your treads get down to 2/32, your stopping distance increases by 100% when panic braking on wet roads. That’s twice the distance it takes brand-new tires to come to a complete stop, given the same starting conditions.
Legally, the minimum tread depth is going to vary from state to state:
- In 42 states, 2/32 is the legal minimum tread depth
- In 2 states, 1/32 is the legal minimum tread depth (California & Idaho)
- In 6 states, there is no legal minimum tread depth (Arkansas, Montana, North Dakota, South Carolina, West Virginia)
When your treads get down to 2/32, your stopping distance increases by 100% when panic braking on wet roads. That’s twice the distance it takes brand-new tires to come to a complete stop, given the same starting conditions.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 2,836
Likes: 2,151
From: Kelso, Wa
I use them until I hit the legal limit. On tires that have tread wear bars, when those bars appear.
OR, ... When driving in the rain (and it RAINS here) I spin the tires from a stop when doing "normal" acceleration,
OR .. .. When driving in the rain I get ANY hydroplaning...
Whichever comes first......
Tires are SAFETY. Don't scrimp.
OR, ... When driving in the rain (and it RAINS here) I spin the tires from a stop when doing "normal" acceleration,
OR .. .. When driving in the rain I get ANY hydroplaning...
Whichever comes first......
Tires are SAFETY. Don't scrimp.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 1,289
Likes: 781
The legal limit for tread depth here is 2/32 and 5/32 for Winter (M+S) tires.
Tire Rack did a good study and found tires at 2/32 took twice as long to stop the car as 10/32 tires and recommend 4/32 as when to replace.
Most manufacturer also recommend replacement at 10 years no matter what tread depth. (Examine at 5 years)
One thing I noticed, especially with motorcycle tires (we really pay attention to wear) is wear is not linear ie as you approach wear bars, the tires wear quicker. For example if expectation is 30,000 miles, at 10/32 you may get 4,000 miles whereas at 3/32 you may get 3,000 miles and at 2/32 just 1,000 miles left.
Tire Rack did a good study and found tires at 2/32 took twice as long to stop the car as 10/32 tires and recommend 4/32 as when to replace.
Most manufacturer also recommend replacement at 10 years no matter what tread depth. (Examine at 5 years)
One thing I noticed, especially with motorcycle tires (we really pay attention to wear) is wear is not linear ie as you approach wear bars, the tires wear quicker. For example if expectation is 30,000 miles, at 10/32 you may get 4,000 miles whereas at 3/32 you may get 3,000 miles and at 2/32 just 1,000 miles left.
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Michael S. Palmer
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 16,068
Likes: 4,151
From: Bergen county NJ
On summer tires I usually try and begin shopping new tires at 4 or 5 mm tread depth. I love getting new tires. I drive around 1000 miles a month. I usually get about 18000 miles on my corvettes.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 1,461
Likes: 1,200
From: DFW
The legal limit for tread depth here is 2/32 and 5/32 for Winter (M+S) tires.
Tire Rack did a good study and found tires at 2/32 took twice as long to stop the car as 10/32 tires and recommend 4/32 as when to replace.
Most manufacturer also recommend replacement at 10 years no matter what tread depth. (Examine at 5 years)
One thing I noticed, especially with motorcycle tires (we really pay attention to wear) is wear is not linear ie as you approach wear bars, the tires wear quicker. For example if expectation is 30,000 miles, at 10/32 you may get 4,000 miles whereas at 3/32 you may get 3,000 miles and at 2/32 just 1,000 miles left.
Tire Rack did a good study and found tires at 2/32 took twice as long to stop the car as 10/32 tires and recommend 4/32 as when to replace.
Most manufacturer also recommend replacement at 10 years no matter what tread depth. (Examine at 5 years)
One thing I noticed, especially with motorcycle tires (we really pay attention to wear) is wear is not linear ie as you approach wear bars, the tires wear quicker. For example if expectation is 30,000 miles, at 10/32 you may get 4,000 miles whereas at 3/32 you may get 3,000 miles and at 2/32 just 1,000 miles left.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 1,289
Likes: 781
From MichelinMICHELIN® PILOT® SPORT ALL SEASON 4 245/35ZR19 (89Y) ZP BSW
Sorry about the large font.
MICHELIN® PILOT® SPORT ALL SEASON 4 245/35ZR19 (89Y) ZP BSW
Tread Depth (in 32nds)
10.0
The Pilot Sport 4S indicate a tread depth of 9.5/32nds
However my post was pointing out that tire wear based on tread depth is not linear
Sorry about the large font.Last edited by gdb069; Sep 20, 2023 at 03:47 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
I used to think that 2/32nds was fine until I started trying out that depth in/on a very safe place: rain, dry, and light snow. Then I got new tires, wore them a bit to get the "new" off of them and tried it again. Big difference. That's when I decided that four, individual small "patches" of rubber are all that keep the entire vehicle from going somewhere...but not where I want it to go.
So, I adopted this philosophy: buy the absolute best tires for your vehicle that you can afford, and sooner than the minimum.
After all, what's a simple broken arm worth to me, or you? Or worse than just an arm.
No thanks. 50, or a hundred more per tire is affordable. for me.
So, I adopted this philosophy: buy the absolute best tires for your vehicle that you can afford, and sooner than the minimum.
After all, what's a simple broken arm worth to me, or you? Or worse than just an arm.
No thanks. 50, or a hundred more per tire is affordable. for me.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 1,461
Likes: 1,200
From: DFW
When I looked it up on Discount Tire, it said 8/32
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 1,289
Likes: 781
Possible your lookup was not correct:
Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 Tires | Performance Car All-Season Tires | Discount Tire Direct
Discount Tire Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4
TREAD DEPTH i
10/32" / 10/32"
The 4S are listed as 9/32
Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 Tires | Performance Car All-Season Tires | Discount Tire Direct
Discount Tire Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4
TREAD DEPTH i
10/32" / 10/32"
The 4S are listed as 9/32
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 13,180
Likes: 10,528
Minimum Tire Tread Depth
Legally, the minimum tread depth is going to vary from state to state:
When your treads get down to 2/32, your stopping distance increases by 100% when panic braking on wet roads. That’s twice the distance it takes brand-new tires to come to a complete stop, given the same starting conditions.
Legally, the minimum tread depth is going to vary from state to state:
- In 42 states, 2/32 is the legal minimum tread depth
- In 2 states, 1/32 is the legal minimum tread depth (California & Idaho)
- In 6 states, there is no legal minimum tread depth (Arkansas, Montana, North Dakota, South Carolina, West Virginia)
When your treads get down to 2/32, your stopping distance increases by 100% when panic braking on wet roads. That’s twice the distance it takes brand-new tires to come to a complete stop, given the same starting conditions.