tyre depth: when to change

At the rate of tyre wear I experience on rear tyres, I would keep them; I would get another year out of them.

Only caveat would be if they were mismatched or a brand I didn't recognise.

Chris

If you are thinking of buying winter tyres get 4, replace all 4 but keep the two rear ones to refit after the winter. You could keep all 4 and refit them in the spring (gives you time to see if you can afford to replace the two fronts or just pay to have them refitted for a few months). A new tyre starts with between 7 and 8 mm tread ... so losing

It all comes down to what you can afford to spend.

Cheers Charles

Check the wear bars for the depth.

But remember that the 1.6mm was changed from originally 1mm limit.

I think just drive carefully in wet weather, knowing that your tyres aren't brand new.

The effect of tread depth on handling is progressive. Other than the legal limit, there's no hard and fast rule. Personally, I opt for 2mm.

See chart here:

That's fine in the dry because the contact patch with the road remains the same as the tyre wears down but in the wet less tread = less water pumped away = less grip.