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Determining tread life on winter tires
#1
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Determining tread life on winter tires
Hey everyone, I'm looking to get some winter tires and found these on craigslist. I know the treads on snow tires are suppose to be deeper so my question is are these in good shape? Thanks!
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q94/igo4bmx/8ecd64bb.jpg"
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q94/igo4bmx/a648d65f.jpg"
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q94/igo4bmx/8ecd64bb.jpg"
http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q94/igo4bmx/a648d65f.jpg"
Last edited by SPNinjA; 11-07-11 at 01:32 PM.
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The best way to determine tire depth is with a tread depth gauge. If you're local, buy one at an auto parts store and check out the tires in person. Tire Rack recommends 6/32" for winter tires before you should start thinking about replacements. I've ran less then that. It's not ideal but will get you through snow if you're not doing anything crazy like trying to pull someone out from a ditch. From that picture, I would say you could probably get another two seasons out of them depending on how you drive.
Last edited by Milan; 11-07-11 at 02:21 PM.
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Thanks for the reply. Milan. Now, I know you mentioned that Tire Rack recommends 6/32 for winter. Would you happen to have your own personal opinion on what the bare minimum should be before replacing? Thanks again.
#4
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Just as important as tread depth, but, how old are they?
If they are 4-6 years old, they probably aren't worth buying... Winter tires are even more sensitive to age than standard tires are, as with age, they get hard and it is much more important to maintain elasticity in the winter...
I would say you don't have a whole lot of life left in those suckers... They are probably around 6/32, maybe 7/32 right now... Would be good for a winter, at the absolute most, two... If you just need them for one winter and they are cheap, go for it... I wouldn't pay more than 1/5 or 1/4 of retail for them though...
If they are 4-6 years old, they probably aren't worth buying... Winter tires are even more sensitive to age than standard tires are, as with age, they get hard and it is much more important to maintain elasticity in the winter...
I would say you don't have a whole lot of life left in those suckers... They are probably around 6/32, maybe 7/32 right now... Would be good for a winter, at the absolute most, two... If you just need them for one winter and they are cheap, go for it... I wouldn't pay more than 1/5 or 1/4 of retail for them though...
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That's a little hard to say. Depends on how much snow you get where you live. If you frequently get 4-6" and your street isn't plowed then you should start looking for new tires around 6/32" If you get very little snow and live on a street that gets plowed straight away you might get away with going to the wear bars. Again, hard to say but I personally sell my winter tires when they approach 5/32 and I get a good mix of light and heavy snow in this part of Michigan.
#7
How-To Tuesday
Great topic for this week's How-To article...
https://www.clublexus.com/how-tos/a/...e-tread-362151
https://www.clublexus.com/how-tos/a/...e-tread-362151
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