Need help on tire tread depth!!!

[ST3ALTH]

Hey everyone. Im picking up a set of used tires tonight and was just wondering what i can do to tell if they are still save to pass safety.

I know to look for the obvious signs, but as far as tread depth. Im going to go buy a tread depth gauge right now but when i measure the tire how do i know what is good or not.

Thanks

[Hyperion]

Clicky (http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Tire+tread)

[ST3ALTH]

Well clearly I've done that and not found an answer, also I'm in a rush and not at home so I thought I'd ask. Thanks for the useless help. Next time don't post at all.

[Hyperion]

How would it be clear to me?
Because clearly you have not.


Once you have determined the approximate remaining tread depth in the first location, you can complete your measurement of each tire by placing the coin into additional locations at lease 15 inches apart around the tire's central circumferential groove, as well as in its inner and outer grooves. This will help detect uneven wear caused by mechanical or service conditions.

The Law

According to most states' laws, tires are legally worn out when they have worn down to 2/32" of remaining tread depth. To help warn drivers that their tires have reached that point, tires sold in North America are required to have indicators molded into their tread design called "wear bars" which run across their tread pattern from their outside shoulder to inside shoulder. Wear bars are designed to visually connect the elements of the tire's tread pattern and warn drivers when their tires no longer meet minimum tread depth requirements.

Common Sense

However, as a tire wears it's important to realize that the tire's ability to perform in rain and snow will be reduced. With 2/32" of remaining tread depth, resistance to hydroplaning in the rain at highway speeds has been significantly reduced, and traction in snow has been virtually eliminated.

If rain and wet roads are a concern, you should consider replacing your tires when they reach approximately 4/32" of remaining tread depth. Since water can't be compressed, you need enough tread depth to allow rain to escape through the tire's grooves. If the water can't escape fast enough, your vehicle's tires will be forced to hydroplane (float) on top of the water, losing traction.

If snow-covered roads are a concern, you should consider replacing your tires when they reach approximately 6/32" of remaining tread depth to maintain good mobility. You need more tread depth in snow because your tires need to compress the snow in their grooves and release it as they roll. If there isn't sufficient tread depth, the "bites" of snow your tires can take on each revolution will be reduced to "nibbles," and your vehicle's traction and mobility will be sacrificed. Because tread depth is such an important element for snow traction, winter tires usually start with noticeably deeper tread depths than typical All-Season or summer tires. Some winter tires even have a second series of "wear bars" molded in their tread pattern indicating approximately 6/32" remaining tread depth to warn
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=51
First result of my useless help.

[n00bMeiSter]

Hyperion, there's no need to be rude about it.

Stealth poses a good question, which is very good information to have on the site. I'm surprised we don't already have this information posted/stickied.


Stealth, in regards to your question, I asked some friends and neighbours the same question when I bought my Works. The portion that Hyperion quoted is what I was told as well.

Anything 2/32" or less is no good, to be safe 4/32" is a good time to replace them.

[SonicBoy]

If you are doing a lease return, you must 3.2 mm or (1/8") in all grooves except the outer grooves.

[ST3ALTH]

How would it be clear to me?
Because clearly you have not.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=51
First result of my useless help.

Well thanks again for being a douche about it. All i asked was if anyone had the info. I thought someone would have it handy, I did a quick search on the site and could not find anything. I was on my way to go look at some used tires and thought i may need to know what the minimum tread depth would be. All i thought was that i could get a quick answer from someone here who might know. and i didn't expect to get a smart ass answer with a smart ass link sending me to google.


Hyperion, there's no need to be rude about it.

Stealth poses a good question, which is very good information to have on the site. I'm surprised we don't already have this information posted/stickied.


Stealth, in regards to your question, I asked some friends and neighbours the same question when I bought my Works. The portion that Hyperion quoted is what I was told as well.

Anything 2/32" or less is no good, to be safe 4/32" is a good time to replace them.

Thanks buddy. Turns out the tires were to worn out. So thanks for the info, its good to know.


If you are doing a lease return, you must 3.2 mm or (1/8") in all grooves except the outer grooves.

Perfect. Now we have both measurments for people to look off of. Really appreciate your info. Its going to make buying used tires for me and everyone in the future a little easier.

[speed77]

Most passenger car tire start out their life with around 12 or 13/32nds of an inch of tread. Most performance tires tart out with 10 or 11/32nds. You can use that to help you gauge how "used" a tire is. As stated previously in this post, 2/32" tread depth is the minimum legal requirement, most tires have a wear indicator molded into the tread area in the circumferential grooves at 2/32" that allows you to visually identify how much usable tread is remaining.

[Nova 3 GT]

Is it normal that when it rains, I have a slight wheel spin when accelerating from a stop? I checked my tires (OEM Eagle RS-A) tread on all four corners and both front tires have 3.5/32nds and the rear ones have 4/32nds.:s

Because the cold season is coming and I have steelies with winter rubber on them, can I hold off until next spring to purchase new summer tires or will this be a gamble?

[Cudgel]

Is it normal that when it rains, I have a slight wheel spin when accelerating from a stop? I checked my tires (OEM Eagle RS-A) tread on all four corners and both front tires have 3.5/32nds and the rear ones have 4/32nds.:s

Because the cold season is coming and I have steelies with winter rubber on them, can I hold off until next spring to purchase new summer tires or will this be a gamble?

Yes, that's normal on the garbage RS-A even with full treds. I think you'll be fine to hold off until spring to buy new tires. Just so you know, I'm down to 2/32nds in the front and rear and will be looking for tires in the spring as well. Just make sure you drive more cautiously when it's wet outside.

[midnightfxgt]

Is it normal that when it rains, I have a slight wheel spin when accelerating from a stop? I checked my tires (OEM Eagle RS-A) tread on all four corners and both front tires have 3.5/32nds and the rear ones have 4/32nds.:s

Because the cold season is coming and I have steelies with winter rubber on them, can I hold off until next spring to purchase new summer tires or will this be a gamble?

You can run them in winter, but they will be terrible. With full tread they are poor, and your at the end of the tires life now.

[Nova 3 GT]

You can run them in winter, but they will be terrible. With full tread they are poor, and your at the end of the tires life now.

Nah, I won't be running those tires when winter comes. Like I said earlier, I have a set of winter rubber (Toyo Garit KX) mounted on 4 steelies. ;)