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Author Topic: Measuring Tread Depth  (Read 956 times)

Offline RunsinLight

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Measuring Tread Depth
« on: July 23, 2011, 03:16:18 pm »
My lowest tread depth is 6/32. I wanted to find out what that meant exactly in terms of replacement.  Does the 6 get larger or smaller with use?
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Offline sailor723

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Re: Measuring Tread Depth
« Reply #1 on: July 23, 2011, 03:20:52 pm »
6/32 means there is 6/32nds of an inch remaining. Obviously that will get less as the tire continues to wear. Most tires are at the wear bars by 3 or 4/32.
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Offline johngenx

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Re: Measuring Tread Depth
« Reply #2 on: July 23, 2011, 03:46:21 pm »
I chuck snow tires at 6/32 and summers at 4/32.  Wet performance is poor at 2/32 or 3/32.
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Offline safristi

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Re: Measuring Tread Depth
« Reply #3 on: July 23, 2011, 04:57:01 pm »
  wot ABOOT RIBBED RUBBERS........... ??? ::) :P
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Offline capriracer

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Re: Measuring Tread Depth
« Reply #4 on: July 24, 2011, 07:28:16 am »
First, government regulations require the wear bars to appear at 2/32nds of an inch (1.6mm) - No other value!

There are some recommendations out there that when tires reach 5/32nds, they have lost enough SNOW traction that they need to be removed.

These same recommendations say that when tires reach 4/32nds, enough WET traction has been lost that the tires need to be replaced.

They also say that when tires reach 2/32nds, tires shoulds should be replaced regardless.  There are some locales where this is a regulation.
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Offline davidy

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Re: Measuring Tread Depth
« Reply #5 on: July 24, 2011, 12:01:13 pm »
http://www.apa.ca/tire_TheAPAIsListeningTireFAQ.asp

At the beginning of a winter season, APA recommends no less than 6/32nds (5mm).

For summer or three season tires, 4/32nds (3mm) is recommended as the minimum.

Dave
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Offline RunsinLight

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Re: Measuring Tread Depth
« Reply #6 on: July 24, 2011, 08:24:29 pm »
I'm kind of surprised they would be that worn considering I only have 67,000 KM and half of that would be on my snow tires.
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Offline sailor723

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Re: Measuring Tread Depth
« Reply #7 on: July 24, 2011, 08:46:29 pm »
Are they OEM tires? Most tires that come on new cars are crap when it comes to longevity. I had to replace the Goodyear Eagle RSA's that came on my SRX at around 33K. ::)
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Offline nifty6

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Re: Measuring Tread Depth
« Reply #8 on: July 24, 2011, 10:43:41 pm »
Quote from: sailor723 on July 24, 2011, 08:46:29 pm
Are they OEM tires? Most tires that come on new cars are crap when it comes to longevity. I had to replace the Goodyear Eagle RSA's that came on my SRX at around 33K. ::)

Have to agree about OEM tires, my Mazda 3 had the same tires and replaced them at 40,000KM and that was pushing it and I am not a lead foot driver.
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Offline Arctic_White

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Re: Measuring Tread Depth
« Reply #9 on: September 19, 2011, 01:38:54 am »
My current OEM Summer tires are at 6/32, and the car barely has 17K kms... 

I will try to see if i can sell them for cheap, and use that money to purchase some new shoes next Spring.
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