Minimum tyre thread depth

[ShivaYash]

Dear all,

Whilst the legal limit is 1,6mm - what is a sensible thread depth? My summer tyres currently have around 4mm (Uniroyal Rain Expert) - around 7 years old, I need to check the DOT.

With thanks,

 

[AndySlade]

I see you are based in Berlin according to your signature. No idea what the requirement is in Germany, but I know they do require more than 1.6mm on their winter tyres, which is why there are part worn winter tyres for sale in UK. I’d want 3-4mm minimum myself.

 

[Blobcat]

Winter tyres can go bad (very low grip) below 4mm…

 

[ShivaYash]

I see you are based in Berlin according to your signature. No idea what the requirement is in Germany, but I know they do require more than 1.6mm on their winter tyres, which is why there are part worn winter tyres for sale in UK. I’d want 3-4mm minimum myself.

Also 1,6mm which I would never consider getting down to. Most of the time, this car carts my family around, and I don't want to take chances. But 4mm seems OK - I've seen a good deal on tyres for my old S123 and wanted to double check before spending the money.

I've been after a set of Dunlop Sport Classics but they are almost 300 euro per tyre! With winter here now, I've noticed a few shops selling DOT17 (3 year) new unmounted Dunlop Sport Classics in the correct size for much much less. At the moment, with delivery, the price is 343 euro for four! And these have been stored correctly so there should be no issue. As they are new, they still come with a warranty and the seller is an officer Dunlop dealer...

 

[Ron240]

I have not needed to buy tyres due to tread wear since around 2010 nor have I ever used Winter tyres so the question does not really affect me, but I do have an opinion on the matter.
It has widely been regarded for a long time in the UK that 3mm is the sensible time to replace tyres from a safey perspective, however some tyre manufacturers are challenging this now.
Personally speaking and based purely on tread depth alone I think no more than 3mm is the right time, and to change any sooner would be a needless waste of my money.

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[Blobcat]

I have not needed to buy tyres due to tread wear since around 2010 nor have I ever used Winter tyres so the question does not really affect me, but I do have an opinion on the matter.
It has widely been regarded for a long time in the UK that 3mm is the sensible time to replace tyres from a safey perspective, however some tyre manufacturers are challenging this now.
Personally speaking and based purely on tread depth alone I think no more than 3mm is the right time, and to change any sooner would be a needless waste of my money.

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Police used to change at 3mm - it is a good recommendation

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

^ Yes 3mm is my marker for change you can only go by a scenario of a waterlogged motorway and the thought of clearing enough water away to keep control in an emergency stop in those conditions

 

[DSK]

Similar to all the above. At 3mm or there about a is when I start getting an new set on order.

Not all tyres are the same and very few that I have tested perform anywhere near well enough below 2.5mm. Only the the Goodyears have been consistently good and only tailing off below 2mm. This largely goes unnoticed to most. As mentioned above the lower the tread depth the less effective water dispersal is as well as the easier to pick up punctures.

Also be warned tyre life can be very short if following the above with some wide low profile tyres! I remember measuring a new pair of Michelin Pilot Sports on my Supra some years ago, 5.2mm from the factory!!


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[A.J.]

I would always change Tyres for new between 3mm and 4mm. Tyres are the most important element of a car apart from Brakes !! The other problem the OP has is that his Tyres are Seven years old so they are overdue for a change anyway

 

[richlumb]

I’d start looking to swap at 3mm

 

[00slk]

In my younger days my depth gauge was the cords or steel showing, though on the numbers of occasions when the tyre no longer held air......Where's my coat.....

 

[Blobcat]

In my younger days my depth gauge was the cords or steel showing, though on the numbers of occasions when the tyre no longer held air......Where's my coat.....

I’ve no recollection of that event and/or incident…

 

[Droverunner]

Looked at this earlier with no time to post my own feeling was I believe I can feel a real drop off in wet grip from 3mm and under so for decades have used 3mm as the change point. I thought others may say that was a waste of tyre life so good to see it's a popular figure.

 

[davidsl500]

I like to change mine at 3.05mm just to feel superior to those changing at 3mm...

With the state of the roads these days I wouldn't like to be driving with less than 3mm. I read the chance of punctures are greater as well.

 

[00slk]

I’ve no recollection of that event and/or incident…

You were far too young to remember this Russ

 

[brandwooddixon]

Like most posters I go with 3mm for summer tyres (for water clearance) and 4mm for winter tyres.

 

[Ron240]

Also be warned tyre life can be very short if following the above with some wide low profile tyres! I remember measuring a new pair of Michelin Pilot Sports on my Supra some years ago, 5.2mm from the factory!!

I meant to ask this question sooner but forgot.

I am amazed at that tread depth because a new tyre should have anywhere from 7-8 mm.
I know tyre manufacturers make special fitments for certain types of car but I have never heard of any tyres having at least 25% less tread than standard.
Did you question this at the time to find out the reason why? I would have been shocked if it was me.
My Michelin Pilot Sport 4S have covered 3600 miles from new, the fronts are 6.5 mm and rears are 7mm.

 

[DSK]

This was many years ago when I did at our place and never done it since. I think what prompted me to check was that despite being new, as in ordered directly from the tyre distributors, the tread looked less than 7/8mm. I just thought at the time perhaps deeper tread may have caused too much movement or the incorrect performance as this, the reason for the tread level from new.

It was was a normal Michelin Pilot sport but probably no newer than a PS2 at a guess, iirc 285/30?/18. Had them of some enough as they didn’t like heat cycles.

Never bothered since but when I replace the PS4s on the S Class in the nearing future I will check again out of curiosity.

 

[mioba]

Tyre places always have these charts on the wall depicting tyre effeciency vis a vis tread depth.

3mm is time to change to be on safe side esp with wet season on us.

 

[Srdl]

Tyres are the most important element of a car apart from Brakes !!

It doesn’t matter how good the brakes are if the tyres are cr@p